Methods and compositions for diagnosis and treatment of disorders in patients with elevated levels of tlr4 ligands and other biomarkers

ABSTRACT

This invention relates generally to methods and compositions for diagnosing and treating disorders associated with elevated levels of Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) ligands and other biomarkers. The invention also relates to methods of treating, delaying the progression of, or otherwise ameliorating a symptom of a disorder associated with elevated levels of TLR4 ligands and other biomarkers using agents that interfere with or otherwise antagonize TLR4 signaling, including neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibodies.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/894,042, filed Oct. 22, 2013. The contents of this application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to methods and compositions for diagnosing and treating disorders associated with elevated levels of Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) ligands and other biomarkers. The invention also relates to methods of treating, delaying the progression of, or otherwise ameliorating a symptom of a disorder in patients with elevated levels of TLR4 ligands and other biomarkers using agents that interfere with or otherwise antagonize TLR-4 signaling, including neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibodies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Toll receptors, first discovered in Drosophila, are type I transmembrane protein having leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) in the extracellular portion of the protein, and one or two cysteine-rich domains. The mammalian homologs of the Drosophila Toll receptors are known as “Toll-like receptors” (TLRs). TLRs play a role in innate immunity by recognizing microbial particles and activating immune cells against the source of these microbial particles. In humans, eleven Toll-like receptors, TLRs 1-11, have been identified and are characterized by the homology of their intracellular domains to that of the IL-1 receptor, and by the presence of extracellular leucine-rich repeats. The different types of TLRs are activated by different types of microbial particles. For example, TLR4 is primarily activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). TLR4 has been shown to associate with an accessory protein, myeloid differentiation protein-2 (MD-2). This protein has been found to interact directly with TLR4, and MD-2 has the ability to enable post-translational modifications of TLR4, as well as facilitate its transport to the cell surface. TLR4 and MD-2 form a complex on the cell surface.

TLR4 has been implicated in a number of disorders; and anti-TLR4 agents are being developed as therapeutic agents. Not all patients respond to current standard of care therapies. Accordingly, there exists a need for compositions and methods for use in identifying patients that are likely candidates for a particular treatment, for example, treatment with a particular anti-TLR4 therapy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The compositions and methods provided herein are useful in identifying or otherwise refining a patient population suffering from a disorder, where the patient has an elevated level of one or more TLR4 ligands or other TLR4-related biomarkers. These patients are identified as suitable candidates for treatment with an agent (e.g., antibodies or other polypeptide-based therapeutics, peptide-based therapeutics, small molecule inhibitors, nucleic acid-based therapeutics and derivatives thereof) that interferes with or otherwise antagonizes TLR4 signaling and neutralizes at least one biological activity of TLR4, alone or in the context of the accessory protein MD-2 as the TLR4/MD-2 complex.

In some patients suffering from or suspected of suffering from a disorder, fluids and other biological samples contain elevated levels of TLR4 ligands and other biomarkers. These TLR4 ligands and other biomarkers stimulate cells to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, use of an anti-TLR4 antagonist that interferes with, inhibits, reduces or otherwise antagonizes TLR4 signaling, e.g., a neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibody or other polypeptide-based therapeutic, a peptide-based therapeutic, a small molecule inhibitor, a nucleic acid-based therapeutic and derivatives thereof, is shown herein to block this stimulation in samples from patients exhibiting an elevated level of expression for one or more TLR4 ligands and/or other biomarkers. Thus, the compositions and methods are useful in treating, delaying the progression of or otherwise ameliorating a symptom of a disorder that is dependent on, driven by, associated with, or otherwise impacted by TLR4 signaling, aberrant, e.g., elevated, TLR4 ligand expression and/or activity, aberrant pro-inflammatory cytokine production and/or combinations thereof, by administering an anti-TLR4 antagonist, e.g., a neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibody or other polypeptide-based therapeutic, a peptide-based therapeutic, a small molecule inhibitor, a nucleic acid-based therapeutic and derivatives thereof, to patients exhibiting an elevated level of expression for one or more TLR4 ligands and/or other biomarkers. Patients that are likely suitable candidates for treatment with the anti-TLR4 antagonist, e.g., neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibody such as those described herein, are identified by detecting the level of one or more TLR4 ligands or other biomarkers. In some embodiments, patients that do not have elevated levels of one or more TLR4 ligands or other biomarkers may still be treated with an anti-TLR4 antagonist, including any of the neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibodies described herein or other polypeptide-based therapeutic, a peptide-based therapeutic, a small molecule inhibitor, a nucleic acid-based therapeutic and derivatives thereof.

Suitable TLR4 ligands and other biomarkers for use in these methods of identifying likely candidates include anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), citrullinated proteins, citrullinated proteins in an immune complex, e.g., citrullinated fibrinogen (cFb) in an immune complex with an IgG protein (cFb-IC) or an IgE protein, HMGB1, S100A8/A9, Tenascin C, LPS, heat shock proteins (HSPs), fibronectin, hyaluronan, Der P2, Respiratory Syncytial Virus F (RSV) F protein, Surfactant A, Coxsakievirus B4 (CSV B4), CXCL10, Resistin, Fetuin A, Saturated Fatty Acid (SFA), Biglycan, Modified Low-Density Lipoprotein (mLDL), advanced glycation end products (AGE) and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the citrullinated protein is citrullinated fibrinogen, citrullinated fibrin, citrullinated vimentin, a citrullinated histone (e.g., citrullinated histone 2b), citrullinated enolase or a citrullinated chemokine, (e.g. citrullinated CXCL10). In some embodiments, a combination of TLR4 ligand and/or other biomarker is detected, for example, at least two TLR4 ligands and/or other biomarkers are detected, at least three TLR4 ligands and/or other biomarkers are detected, at least four TLR4 ligands and/or other biomarkers are detected, at least five TLR4 ligands and/or other biomarkers are detected, at least six TLR4 ligands and/or other biomarkers are detected, at least eight TLR4 ligands and/or other biomarkers are detected, at least nine TLR4 ligands and/or other biomarkers are detected, or at least ten or more TLR4 ligands and/or other biomarkers are detected.

In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is S100A8/A9. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is ACPA. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is HMGB1. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a combination of S100A8/A9 and HMGB1. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a combination of S100A8/A9 and cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a combination of S100A8/A9 and ACPA. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a combination of ACPA and cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a combination of ACPA and HMGB1. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a combination of HMGB1 and cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a combination of S100A8/A9, ACPA and HMGB1. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a combination of S100A8/A9, ACPA and cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a combination of S100A8/A9, cFb-IC and HMGB1. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a combination of ACPA, HMGB1 and cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a combination of S100A8/A9, cFb-IC, ACPA and HMGB1.

In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a predictor of monocyte response to exposure to an anti-TLR4 agent, e.g., an anti-TLR4 mAb such as NI-0101. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte response to anti-TLR4 treatment is S100A8/A9. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte response to anti-TLR4 treatment is ACPA. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte response to anti-TLR4 treatment is HMGB1. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte response to anti-TLR4 treatment is cFb-IC.

In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a predictor of fibroblast response to exposure to an anti-TLR4 agent, e.g., an anti-TLR4 mAb such as NI-0101. In some embodiments, the predictor of fibroblast response to anti-TLR4 treatment is cFb-IC.

In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response to exposure to an anti-TLR4 agent, e.g., an anti-TLR4 mAb such as NI-0101. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is ACPA. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is S100A8/A9. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is HMGB1. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is a combination of S100A8/A9 and HMGB1. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is a combination of S100A8/A9 and cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is a combination of S100A8/A9 and ACPA. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is a combination of ACPA and cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is a combination of ACPA and HMGB1. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is a combination of HMGB1 and cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is a combination of S100A8/A9, ACPA and HMGB1. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is a combination of S100A8/A9, ACPA and cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is a combination of S100A8/A9, cFb-IC and HMGB1. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is a combination of ACPA, HMGB1 and cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is a combination of S100A8/A9, cFb-IC, ACPA and HMGB1.

Patients with elevated levels of one or more of these markers are identified as suitable candidates for therapy with one or more anti-TLR4 antagonists, e.g., a neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibody described herein. As used herein, the phrase “elevated level of expression” refers to a level of expression that is greater than a baseline level of expression of the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker in a sample from a patient that is not suffering from or suspected of suffering from a disorder or other control sample. By way of non-limiting example, baseline levels of several TLR4 ligands are shown in FIGS. 2A-2E. For example, a baseline level of ACPA expression is less than about 2000 Ul/ml, e.g., less than about 1500 Ul/ml, less than about 1000 Ul/ml, and/or less than about 750 Ul/ml (FIG. 2A, Table 1). A baseline level of cFb-IC is, for example, an OD 450 nM reading of 1.5 or less when measured using a standard ELISA (coat plate with 50 μL/well of 1 μg/mL of mouse anti-human citrullinated fibrinogen (cFb) antibody, 3D1, (anti-cFb, clone 3D1, # AM32004PU-N, Acris) in PBS; add 50 μL of 1/10 diluted (in PBS) synovial fluid sample from RA patients; detect binding with anti-human-IgG-Fc-HRP (SIGMA, #A0170), 1/10000 in PBS, 50 μL/well in all wells followed by 50 μL/well of TMB), e.g., an OD 450 nM reading of 1.0 or less, and/or an OD 450 nM reading of 0.5 or less (FIG. 2B, Table 1). A baseline level of HMGB1 is less than about 100 ng/ml, e.g., less than about 75 ng/ml, less than about 50 ng/ml, and/or less than about 25 ng/ml (FIG. 2C, Table 1). A baseline level of S100A8/A9 is less than about 500 ng/ml, e.g., less than about 400 ng/ml, less than about 300 ng/ml, less than about 200 ng/ml, and/or less than about 100 ng/ml (FIG. 2D, Table 1). A baseline level of Tenascin C is less than about 100 ng/ml, e.g., less than about 75 ng/ml, less than about 50 ng/ml, less than about 25 ng/ml, and/or less than about 10 ng/ml (FIG. 2C, Table 1). In some embodiments, the elevated level of expression of the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a significant level of elevation.

Patients with certain detected levels of one or more of these markers are identified as “responders” or “non-responders” based on the detected level of the marker as compared to a cutoff level for each marker. By way of non-limiting example, cutoff levels of several TLR4 ligands are shown in Example 5. For example, patients with a detected level of S100A8/A9 of greater than or equal to 387 ng/ml for the monocyte response score in synovial fluid samples are identified as “responders” to treatment with an anti-TLR4 therapy, such as a neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibody, e.g., NI-0101, while patients with a detected level of S100A8/A9 of less than 387 ng/ml for the monocyte response score in synovial fluid samples are identified as “non-responders” to treatment with an anti-TLR4 therapy. Patients with a detected level of ACPA of greater than or equal to 1000 Ul/ml for the monocyte response score in synovial fluid samples are identified as “responders” to treatment with an anti-TLR4 therapy, such as a neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibody, e.g., NI-0101, while patients with a detected level of ACPA of less than 1000 Ul/ml for the monocyte response score in synovial fluid samples are identified as “non-responders” to treatment with an anti-TLR4 therapy. Patients with a detected level of HMGB1 of greater than or equal to 50 ng/ml for the monocyte response score in synovial fluid samples are identified as “responders” to treatment with an anti-TLR4 therapy, such as a neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibody, e.g., NI-0101, while patients with a detected level of HMGB1 of less than 50 ng/ml for the monocyte response score in synovial fluid samples are identified as “non-responders” to treatment with an anti-TLR4 therapy. Patients with a detected cFb-IC OD 450 nm reading greater than or equal to 1.2 for the monocyte response score in synovial fluid samples are identified as “responders” to treatment with an anti-TLR4 therapy such as a neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibody, e.g., NI-0101, while patients with a detected cFb-IC OD 450 nm reading less than 1.2 for the monocyte response score in synovial fluid samples are identified as “non-responders” to treatment with an anti-TLR4 therapy.

Patients with a detected cFb-IC OD 450 nm reading greater than or equal to 1.2 for the fibroblast response score in synovial fluid samples are identified as “responders” to treatment with an anti-TLR4 therapy such as a neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibody, e.g., NI-0101, while patients with a detected cFb-IC OD 450 nm reading less than 1.2 for the fibroblast response score in synovial fluid samples are identified as “non-responders” to treatment with an anti-TLR4 therapy. Patients with a detected level of ACPA of greater than or equal to 1000 Ul/ml for the fibroblast response score in synovial fluid samples are identified as “responders” to treatment with an anti-TLR4 therapy, such as a neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibody, e.g., NI-0101, while patients with a detected level of ACPA of less than 1000 Ul/ml for the fibroblast response score in synovial fluid samples are identified as “non-responders” to treatment with an anti-TLR4 therapy.

Patients with a detected cFb-IC OD 450 nm reading greater than or equal to 0.55 for the combined monocyte and fibroblast response score (cMFRS) in synovial fluid samples are identified as “responders” to treatment with an anti-TLR4 therapy such as a neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibody, e.g., NI-0101, while patients with a detected cFb-IC OD 450 nm reading less than 0.55 for the cMFRS in synovial fluid samples are identified as “non-responders” to treatment with an anti-TLR4 therapy. Patients with a detected level of ACPA of greater than or equal to 330 Ul/ml for the cMFRS in synovial fluid samples are identified as “responders” to treatment with an anti-TLR4 therapy, such as a neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibody, e.g., NI-0101, while patients with a detected level of ACPA of less than 330 Ul/ml for the cMFRS in synovial fluid samples are identified as “non-responders” to treatment with an anti-TLR4 therapy. Patients with a detected level of HMGB1 of greater than or equal to 45 ng/ml for the cMFRS in synovial fluid samples are identified as “responders” to treatment with an anti-TLR4 therapy, such as a neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibody, e.g., NI-0101, while patients with a detected level of HMGB1 of less than 45 ng/ml for the cMFRS in synovial fluid samples are identified as “non-responders” to treatment with an anti-TLR4 therapy. Patients with a detected level of S1008A8/A9 of greater than or equal to 387 ng/ml for the cMFRS in synovial fluid samples are identified as “responders” to treatment with an anti-TLR4 therapy, such as a neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibody, e.g., NI-0101, while patients with a detected level of S1008A8/A9 of less than 387 ng/ml for the cMFRS in synovial fluid samples are identified as “non-responders” to treatment with an anti-TLR4 therapy.

Patients with a detected cFb-IC OD 450 nm reading greater than or equal to 0.55 for the combined monocyte and fibroblast response score (cMFRS) in synovial fluid samples and a detected level of S1008A8/A9 of greater than or equal to 387 ng/ml for the cMFRS in synovial fluid samples are identified as “responders” to treatment with an anti-TLR4 therapy such as a neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibody, e.g., NI-0101, while patients with a detected cFb-IC OD 450 nm reading less than 0.55 for the cMFRS in synovial fluid samples a detected level of S1008A8/A9 less than 387 ng/ml for the cMFRS in synovial fluid samples are identified as “non-responders” to treatment with an anti-TLR4 therapy.

The sample is, for example, blood or a blood component, e.g., serum, plasma. In some embodiments, the sample is urine. In some embodiments, the fluid is synovial fluid. In some embodiments, the fluid is bronchial alveolar fluid. In some embodiments, the fluid is cerebrospinal fluid. In some embodiments, the fluid is saliva.

In addition to detecting the level of one or more of these TLR4 ligands and/or biomarkers, suitable patients for treatment with an anti-TLR4 antagonist can also be identified by evaluating any of a number of additional biological and clinical parameters that will improve the sensitivity and specificity of the biomarker for identifying or otherwise refining the patient population. Alternatively, these additional biological and clinical parameters can be used alone as a means for identifying patients that are suitable candidates for treatment with an anti-TLR4 antagonist or other suitable therapy. These biological and clinical parameters include, by way of non-limiting example, any of the following: rheumatoid factor levels, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, blood cells count, presence of TLR4 receptor on blood cell subpopulations, TLR4 polymorphisms, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) polymorphisms, peptidyl arginine deiminase (PAD) enzymes and PAD enzyme polymorphisms, Fcγ Receptor IIa (FcγIIa) polymorphisms, MD-2 levels, soluble CD14 levels, baseline patient demographic data (e.g., body mass index (BMI), sex, age, etc.) and/or patient medical history (e.g., disability assessment schedule (DAS 28) at diagnosis, DAS 28 at treatment initiation, duration of disease, age at disease onset, response to prior treatments based on DAS28, American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and/or European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response criteria, etc.).

Disorders that are useful with the compositions and methods of the invention include any disorder where aberrant, e.g., elevated, TLR4 expression and/or activity, with aberrant TLR4/MD-2 activation and/or aberrant TLR4 ligand activity (e.g., aberrant stimulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine production such as aberrant stimulation of IL-6, TNFα and/or IL-8 production). For example, some TLR4 ligands are believed to be associated with various disorders. By way of non-limiting example, LPS is known to be associated with disorders such as sepsis, acute lung injury, and/or RA; Tenascin C is known to be associated with disorders such as arthritis, hepatic and/or cardiac ischemial reperfusion; HMGB1 is known to be associated with disorders such as RA, Osteoarthritis (OA), ischemia/reperfusion, Type 1 diabetes, islet transplantation, lupus and/or sepsis; S100A8/A9 is known to be associated with disorders such as RA, OA, juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), diabetes, transplant rejection, lupus, atherosclerosis, sepsis and/or cancer; citrullinated fibrinogen is known to be associated with disorders such as RA and atherosclerosis; ACPA is known to be associated with disorders such as RA, psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjogren's syndrome, Alzheimer disease and/or atherosclerosis.

By way of non-limiting examples, the methods and compositions provided herein are suitable for diagnosing and/or treating disorders such as autoimmune and/or inflammatory disorders. Suitable autoimmune and/or inflammatory disorders include, by way of non-limiting example, autoimmune and/or inflammatory disorders associated with aberrant TLR4 signaling, autoimmune and/or inflammatory disorders associated with aberrant, e.g., elevated, TLR4 ligand expression and/or activity, autoimmune and/or inflammatory disorders associated with aberrant pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the disorder is an arthritis condition, including by way of non-limiting example, RA, Osteoarthritis (OA), psoriatic arthritis or juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). In some embodiments, the disorder is rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In some embodiments, the disorder is cancer. In some embodiments, the disorder is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In some embodiments, the disorder is atherosclerosis. In some embodiments, the disorder is associated with ischemial reperfusion, including by way of non-limiting example, hepatic and/or cardiac ischemia/reperfusion. In some embodiments, the disorder is sepsis. In some embodiments, the disorder is acute lung injury. In some embodiments, the disorder is Type 1 diabetes. In some embodiments, the disorder is associated with islet transplantation. In some embodiments, the disorder is lupus. In some embodiments, the disorder is associated with transplant rejection or other disorder associated with cell, tissue and/or organ transplant. In some embodiments, the disorder is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In some embodiments, the disorder is Sjogren's syndrome. In some embodiments, the disorder is Alzheimer's disease.

Once patients are identified as having an elevated level of one or more TLR4 ligands or other biomarkers, they are then treated with an anti TLR4 antagonist. For example, the anti TLR4 antagonist is a neutralizing anti TLR4 antibody or an immunologically active (e.g., antigen binding) fragment thereof. Suitable neutralizing antiTLR4 antibodies include any of the anti-TLR4 antibodies described herein and other antibodies with increased affinity for Fc receptor (FcR) and/or increased avidity for cell surface binding through interaction with FcR.

In some embodiments, the antibody or immunologically active fragment thereof that binds TLR4 comprises a variable heavy chain complementarity determining region 1 (VH CDR1) comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90%, 92%, 95%, 96%, 97% 98%, 99% or more identical to the amino acid sequence of GGYSWH (SEQ ID NO: 1); a VH CDR2 region comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90%, 92%, 95%, 96%, 97% 98%, 99% or more identical to the amino acid sequence of YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKT (SEQ ID NO: 2); and a VH CDR3 region comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90%, 92%, 95%, 96%, 97% 98%, 99% or more identical to the amino acid sequence of KDPSDAFPY (SEQ ID NO: 3); a variable light chain complementarity determining region 1 (VL CDR1) region comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90%, 92%, 95%, 96%, 97% 98%, 99% or more identical to the amino acid sequence of RASQSISDHLH (SEQ ID NO: 4); a VL CDR2 region comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90%, 92%, 95%, 96%, 97% 98%, 99% or more identical to the amino acid sequence of YASHAIS (SEQ ID NO: 5); and a VL CDR3 region comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90%, 92%, 95%, 96%, 97% 98%, 99% or more identical to the amino acid sequence of QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 6). In some embodiments, the antibody or immunologically active fragment thereof that binds TLR4 further comprises an amino acid sequence at least 90%, 92%, 95%, 96%, 97% 98%, 99% or more identical to the heavy chain variable amino acid sequence QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYSITGGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMGYIHYSGYT DFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKDPSDAFPYWGQGTLVTVSS (SEQ ID NO: 7) and an amino acid sequence at least 90%, 92%, 95%, 96%, 97% 98%, 99% or more identical to the light chain variable amino acid sequence EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKYASHAISGVPSR FSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGHSFPLTFGGGTKVEIK (SEQ ID NO: 8). In some embodiments, the antibody or immunologically active fragment thereof that binds TLR4 further comprises an amino acid sequence at least 90%, 92%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more identical to the heavy chain amino acid sequence MGWSWIFLFLLSGTAGVHCQVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYSITGGYSWHWIR QPPGKGLEWMGYIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCAR KDPSDAFPYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVS WNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVE PKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFN WYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSSKAFPAPIE KTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYK TTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK (SEQ ID NO: 9) and an amino acid sequence at least 90%, 92%, 95%, 96%, 97% 98%, 99% or more identical to the light chain amino acid sequence MEWSWVFLFFLSVTTGVHSEIVLTQSPDF QSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKYASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDF TLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGHSFPLTFGGGTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASV VCLLNNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHK VYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC (SEQ ID NO: 10).

In some embodiments, anti-TLR4 antibody or immunologically active fragment thereof is or is derived from an antibody as described in PCT/IB2005/004206, filed Jun. 14, 2005 and published as WO 20071110678, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

In some embodiments, anti-TLR4 antibody or immunologically active fragment thereof is or is derived from an antibody as described in PCT application PCT/IB2008/003978, filed May 14, 2008 and published as WO 2009/101479, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

In some embodiments, anti-TLR4 antibody or immunologically active fragment thereof is or is derived from the anti-TLR4 antibody known as HTA125, which is described, for example, in Shimazu, et al., J. Exp. Med., val. 189:1777-1782 (1999); Nijhuis et al., Clin Diag. Lab. Immunol., val. 10(4): 558-63 (2003); and Pivarcsi et al., Intl. Immunopharm., vol. 15(6):721-730 (2003), the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

In some embodiments, the anti-TLR4 antibody or immunologically active fragment thereof is or is derived from a domain antibody such as, for example, the domain antibodies that bind TLR4 described in PCT application PCT/EP2009/055926, filed May 15, 2009 and published as WO 2009/13848, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

In some embodiments, the anti-TLR4 antibody or immunologically active fragment thereof is or is derived from monoclonal antibodies recognizing human and/or cynomolgus monkey TLR4/MD-2 receptor expressed on the cell surface. The antibodies are capable of blocking, e.g., neutralizing, receptor activation and subsequent intracellular signaling induced TLR4 ligands, e.g., LPS or any other TLR4 ligand described herein. Antibodies of the invention include antibodies that bind human and cynomolgus monkey TLR4/MD-2 receptor complex and also bind TLR4 independently of the presence of MD-2.

In some embodiments, the anti-TLR4 antibody or immunologically active fragment thereof interferes with or otherwise antagonizes signaling via human and/or cynomolgus monkey TLR4/MD-2 receptor expressed on the cell surface, e.g., by blocking receptor activation and subsequent intracellular signaling induced by LPS. Exemplary monoclonal antibodies of these embodiments include: 1A1, 1A6, 1B12, 1C7, 1C10, 1C12, 1D10, 1E11, 1E11 N103D, 1G12, 1E11.C1, 1E11.C2, 1E11.C3, 1E11.C4, 1E11.C5, 1E11.C6, 1E11.E1, 1E11.E2, 1E11.E3, 1E11.E4, 1E11.E5, 1E11.C2E1, 1E11.C2E3, 1E11.C2E4 and 1E11.C2E5.

These antibodies have distinct specificities. Some antibodies show specificity for both the human and cynomolgus monkey TLR4 and/or both the human and cynomolgus monkey TLR4/MD-2 receptor complex, and they have been shown to inhibit receptor activation and subsequent intracellular signaling via LPS. For example, 1C12, 1E11, 1E11 N103D, 1E11.C1, 1E11.C2, 1E11.C3, 1E11.C4, 1E11.C5, 1E11.C6, 1E11.C2E1, 1E11.C2E2, 1E11.C2E3, 1E11.C2E4 and 1E11.C2E5 bind both human and cynomolgus monkey TLR4 independently of the presence of human or cynomolgus monkey MD-2. 1A1, 1A6, 1B12, 1C7, 1C10, 1D10 and 1G12 only bind to cynomolgus monkey TLR4 independently of the presence of cynomolgus monkey MD-2. 1E11.E1, 1E11.E2, 1E11.E3, 1E11.E4 and 1E11.E5 bind only to human TLR4 independently of the presence of human MD-2.

The humanized antibodies of the invention contain a heavy chain variable region having an amino acid sequence shown herein. The humanized antibodies of the invention contain a light chain variable region having an amino acid sequence shown herein.

The three heavy chain CDRs include an amino acid sequence at least 90%, 92%, 95%, 97% 98%, 99% or more identical to a variable heavy chain complementarity determining region 1 (VH CDR1, also referred to herein as CDRH1) amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of G(F/Y)PI(R/G/W)(Y/F/G)GYS (SEQ ID NO: 14), GYSITGGYS (SEQ ID NO: 15); GFPIRYGYS (SEQ ID NO: 16); GYPIRFGYS (SEQ ID NO: 17); GYPIRHGYS (SEQ ID NO: 18); GFPIGQGYS (SEQ ID NO: 19); GYPIWGGYS (SEQ ID NO: 20) and GYPIGGGYS (SEQ ID NO: 21), a variable heavy chain complementarity determining region 2 (VH CDR2, also referred to herein as CDRH2) amino acid sequence of IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and a variable heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (VH CDR3, also referred to herein as CDRH3) amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of ARKDSG(N/Q/D/E)X₁X₂PY. (SEQ ID NO: 23) where X₁ and X₂ are each independently any hydrophobic amino acid, ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 24); ARKDSGRLLPY (SEQ ID NO: 25); ARKDSGKWLPY (SEQ ID NO: 26); ARKDSGHLMPY (SEQ ID NO: 27); ARKDSGHNYPY (SEQ ID NO: 28); ARKDSGKNFPY (SEQ ID NO: 29); ARKDSGQLFPY (SEQ ID NO: 30); ARKDSGHNLPY (SEQ ID NO: 31); ARKDSGDYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 32) and ARKDSGRYWPY (SEQ ID NO: 33). The three light chain CDRs include an amino acid sequence at least 90%, 92%, 95%, 97% 98%, 99% or more identical to a variable light chain complementarity determining region 1 (VL CDR1, also referred to herein as CDRL1) amino acid sequence of QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); a variable light chain complementarity determining region 2 (VL CDR2, also referred to herein as CDRL2) amino acid sequence of YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and a variable light chain complementarity determining region 3 (VL CDR3, also referred to herein as CDRL3) amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of QQG(Y/N)(D/E)(F/Y)PXT (SEQ ID NO: 36) where X is any hydrophobic amino acid, QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 6); QQGNDFPVT (SEQ ID NO: 37); QQGYDEPFT (SEQ ID NO: 38); QQGYDFPFT (SEQ ID NO: 39); QQGYDYPFT (SEQ ID NO: 40) and QQGYEFPFT (SEQ ID NO: 41). The antibodies bind to human and cynomolgus monkey TLR4/MD-2 complex, to human and cynomolgus TLR4 when not complexed with human and cynomolgus MD-2, to human TLR4/MD-2 complex, to human TLR4 when not complexed with human MD-2, to cynomolgus monkey TLR4/MD-2 complex or cynomolgus TLR4 when not complexed with cynomolgus MD-2.

The anti-TLR4 antibodies of the invention also include antibodies that include a heavy chain variable amino acid sequence that is at least 90%, 92%, 95%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more identical an amino acid sequence shown herein, and/or a light chain variable amino acid that is at least 90%, 92%, 95%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more identical an amino acid sequence shown herein.

In some embodiments, the anti-TLR4 antibodies described herein also include at least one specific amino acid substitution within, for example, an Fc region or an FcR binding fragment thereof (e.g., a polypeptide having amino acid substitutions within an IgG constant domain) such that the modified antibody elicits alterations in antigen-dependent effector function while retaining binding to antigen as compared to an unaltered antibody. For example, the altered antibodies elicit the prevention of proinflammatory mediator release. In a preferred embodiment, the altered antibodies are human and of the IgG1 isotype.

The anti-TLR4 antibodies of the invention include an altered antibody in which at least one amino acid residue in the constant region of the Fc portion of the antibody has been modified. For example, at least one amino acid in the CH2 domain of the Fc portion has been replaced by a different residue, i.e., an amino acid substitution. In the altered antibodies described herein, one or more of the amino acid residues that correspond to residues 325, 326 and 328 is substituted with a different residue as compared to an unaltered antibody. The numbering of the residues in the gamma heavy chain is that of the EU index (see Edelman, G. M. et al., 1969; Kabat, E, A., T. T. Wu, H. M. Perry, K. S. Gottesman, and C. Foeller., 1991. Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th Ed. U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Md., NIH Publication n. 91-3242). In a preferred embodiment, EU amino acid position 325 of the gamma heavy chain constant region is substituted with serine, and EU amino acid position 328 of the gamma heavy chain constant region is substituted with phenylalanine, such that the EU positions 325 to 328 of the gamma heavy chain constant region of the altered human IgG1 antibody comprise the amino acid sequence SKAF (SEQ ID NO: 137).

The present invention also provides methods of treating or preventing pathologies associated with aberrant TLR4/MD-2 activation, aberrant TLR4 signaling, aberrant, e.g., elevated, TLR4 ligand expression and/or activity, aberrant pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and combinations thereof, or alleviating a symptom associated with such pathologies, by identifying a patient suitable for therapy with a neutralizing anti-TLR4 agent, e.g., a neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibody, and administering the agent, e.g., a monoclonal antibody of the invention (e.g., a murine monoclonal or humanized monoclonal antibody) to a subject in which such treatment or prevention is desired. The subject to be treated is, e.g., human. The monoclonal antibody is administered in an amount sufficient to treat, prevent or alleviate a symptom associated with the pathology. The amount of monoclonal antibody sufficient to treat or prevent the pathology in the subject is, for example, an amount that is sufficient to reduce TLR4 ligand-induced production of one or more pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6, IL-8, TNFα). As used herein, the term “reduced” refers to a decreased production of a pro-inflammatory cytokine in the presence of a monoclonal antibody of the invention, wherein the production is, for example, local pro-inflammatory cytokine production (e.g., at a site of inflamed tissue) or systemic pro-inflammatory cytokine production. TLR4 ligand-induced production of a pro-inflammatory cytokine is decreased when the level of pro-inflammatory cytokine production in the presence of a monoclonal antibody of the invention is greater than or equal to 5%, 10%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99%, or 100% lower than a control level of pro-inflammatory cytokine production (i.e., the level of pro-inflammatory cytokine production in the absence of the monoclonal antibody). Level of pro-inflammatory cytokine production is measured. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the level of pro-inflammatory cytokine production can be measured using a variety of assays, including, for example, the methods described herein as well as commercially available ELISA kits.

Pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention can include an anti-TLR4 antibody of the invention and a carrier. These pharmaceutical compositions can be included in kits, such as, for example, diagnostic kits.

The invention also provides kits for practicing any of the methods provided herein. For example, in some embodiments, the kits include a detection reagent specific for one or more TLR4 ligands or other biomarkers and a means for detecting the detection reagent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are a series of graphs that depict the activation of human blood-derived macrophages (HBDMs) by immune complexed citrullinated fibrinogen (cFb-IC) and the mechanism of action being dependent on TLR4 and a partial contribution from Fc gamma receptors. As demonstrated in FIG. 1A, cFb does not induce the secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNFα, by HBDM, whereas when presented as an immune complex with rabbit anti-fibrinogen polyclonal antibodies (Rb a Fb pAb), the cFb-IC is activating. In the presence of HBDM, cFb-IC and an anti-human TLR4 mAb (e.g., NI-0101), the activation potential is significantly blocked. In the presence of HBDM, cFb-IC and an anti-human FcRII mAb, a partial impairment is observed. When adding both mAbs to the HBDM and cFb-IC, no additional inhibition to that of anti-human TLR4 mAb (e.g., NI-0101) is observed. higG1 is used with HBDM and cFb-IC as the isotype control. As demonstrated in FIG. 1B, these results of stimulation and blockade are repeated when the source for the immune complex is purified human IgG from rheumatoid arthritis patient's sera. Student's t test were performed. * p<0.05, ** p<0.01, *** p<0.001, ns: not significant.

FIGS. 2A-2E are a series of graphs that depict examples of the levels of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies and different TLR4 ligands contained in synovial fluid of healthy subjects (N Syn.Fluid) or patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA Syn.Fluid). FIG. 2A, anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA); FIG. 2B, immune complex containing citrullinated fibrinogen (cFb-IC); FIG. 2C, high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1); FIG. 2D, S100A8/A9; FIG. 2E, Tenascin C.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are a series of graphs that depict examples of the activation profiles of different rheumatoid arthritis synovial fluids (RASF) on synovial fibroblasts isolated from patients with RA and the dependence of the stimulation on TLR4. FIG. 3A depicts a RASF (from patient #1; RASF 1) that does stimulate RA synovial fibroblasts to produce the pro-inflammatory cytokine, IL-6. This stimulation is significantly blocked by the presence of an anti-human TLR4 mAb (e.g., NI-0101). In contrast, FIG. 3B depicts a RASF sample (from patient #2; RASF 2) that is unable to stimulate IL-6 production from RA synovial fibroblasts and the anti-TLR4 mAb has no effect in this circumstance. higG1 is used as the isotype control. Student's t tests were performed. *** p<0.001, ns: not significant.

FIGS. 4A-4F are a series of graphs that depict examples of the activation profiles of different rheumatoid arthritis synovial fluids (RASF) on human monocytes isolated from patients with RA and the dependence of the stimulation on TLR4. FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C depict the ability of a RASF sample (from patient #3; RASF 3) to stimulate production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6, IL8 and TNFα, respectively, from human monocytes isolated from RA patients. This stimulation is significantly blocked by the presence of an anti-human TLR4 mAb (e.g., NI-0101). In contrast, FIGS. 4D, 4E and 4F depict a RASF sample (from patient #4; RASF 4) that is unable to stimulate the production of IL-6, IL8 and TNFα from human monocytes isolated from RA patients and the anti-TLR4 mAb has no effect in this circumstance. hIgG1 is used as the isotype control. Student's t tests were performed. * p<0.05, ** p<0.01, *** p<0.001, ns: not significant.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a series of graphs that depict the correlation between the expression levels of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) or TLR4 ligands in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fluids (RASF) and the capacity of cell stimulation to be inhibited by an anti-human TLR4 mAb. The TLR4 ligands include immune complex containing citrullinated fibrinogen (cFb-IC), high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), S100A8/A9 and Tenascin C. The cell types include RA patient synovial fibroblasts (FIG. 5A) and RA patient monocytes (FIG. 5B). Student's t tests were performed. * p<0.05, ** p<0.01, *** p<0.001, ns: not significant.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are a series of graphs illustrating the marker levels by cellular response scores to treatment with the anti-human TLR4 mAb, NI-0101 in monocytes (FIG. 6A) or fibroblasts (FIG. 6B). Cellular response scores: 0, 1, or 2 cell donors responded to rheumatoid arthritis synovial fluids (RASF) stimulation and was/were inhibited by treatment with NI-0101.

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating the marker level by combined monocytes and fibroblasts response score (cMFRS) to treatment with the anti-human TLR mAb, NI-0101. Biological response scores: 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 cell donor(s) responded to rheumatoid arthritis synovial fluids (RASF) stimulation and was/were inhibited by treatment with NI-0101.

FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating that ACPA/cFb-IC and S100A8/A9/HMGB1 form independent tandems that show a trend of correlation in RASF samples tested.

FIG. 9 is a graph that illustrates that the combination of S100A8/A9 and cFb-IC are predictors for the combined monocytes and fibroblasts response score (cMFRS) to treatment with the anti-human TLR mAb, NI-0101.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The compositions and methods provided herein are useful in identifying or otherwise refining a patient population suffering from a disorder, where the patient has an elevated level of one or more TLR4 ligands or other biomarkers. These patients are identified as suitable candidates for treatment with an agent (e.g., an antibody or other polypeptide-based therapeutic, a peptide-based therapeutic, a small molecule inhibitor, a nucleic acid-based therapeutic and derivatives thereof) that interferes with or otherwise antagonizes TLR4 signaling and neutralizes at least one biological activity of TLR4, alone or in the context of the accessory protein MD-2 as the TLR4/MD-2 complex.

In some patients suffering from or suspected of suffering from a disorder, fluids and other biological samples contain elevated levels of TLR4 ligands and other biomarkers. These TLR4 ligands and other biomarkers stimulate cells to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, use of an anti-TLR4 antagonist that interferes with or otherwise antagonizes TLR4 signaling, e.g., a neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibody or other anti-TLR4 agent, is shown herein to block this stimulation in patients exhibiting an elevated level of expression for one or more TLR4 ligands and/or other biomarkers. Thus, the compositions and methods are useful in treating, delaying the progression of or otherwise ameliorating a symptom of a disorder that is dependent on, driven by, or otherwise associated with TLR4 signaling, aberrant, e.g., elevated, TLR4 ligand expression and/or activity, aberrant pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and/or combinations thereof, by administering an anti-TLR4 antagonist, e.g., a neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibody or other polypeptide-based therapeutic, a peptide-based therapeutic, a small molecule inhibitor, a nucleic acid-based therapeutic and derivatives thereof, to patients exhibiting an elevated level of expression for one or more TLR4 ligands and/or biomarkers. Patients that are likely suitable candidates for treatment with the anti-TLR4 antagonist, e.g., neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibody such as those described herein, are identified by detecting the level of one or more TLR4 ligands or other biomarkers.

Previous studies demonstrated that citrullinated fibrinogen (cFb) in an immune complex (cFb-IC) stimulated secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and this stimulation could be inhibited by an anti-TLR4 antagonist. See Sokolove et al., “Immune Complexes Containing Citrullinated Fibrinogen Costimulate Macrophages via Toll-like Receptor 4 and Fcγ Receptor,” Arthritis & Rheumatism, vol. 63, No. 1, January 2011, pp 53-62. Similar studies were run using the anti-TLR4 antibody described herein, referred to as NI-0101 (FIGS. 1A-1B). Human blood-derived macrophages (HBDMs) were activated by immune complexed citrullinated fibrinogen (cFb-IC), and the mechanism of action being dependent on TLR4 and a partial contribution from Fc gamma receptors. As shown in FIG. 1A, cFb did not induce the secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNFα, by HBDM, whereas when presented as an immune complex with rabbit anti-fibrinogen polyclonal antibodies (Rb a Fb pAb), the cFb-IC was activating. In the presence of HBDM, cFb-IC and an anti-human TLR4 mAb (e.g., NI-0101), the activation potential was significantly blocked. In the presence of HBDM, cFb-IC and an anti-human FcRII mAb, a partial impairment was observed. When adding both mAbs to the HBDM and cFb-IC, no additional inhibition to that of anti-human TLR4 mAb (e.g., NI-0101) was observed.

The studies provided herein build upon and expand the findings in these initial studies by determining additional TLR4 ligands and other biomarkers that can be used to identify patients that are likely candidates for treatment with an anti-TLR4 antagonist.

Suitable TLR4 ligands and other biomarkers for use in identifying likely candidates include anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), citrullinated proteins, citrullinated proteins in an immune complex, e.g., citrullinated fibrinogen (cFb) in an immune complex with an IgG protein (cFb-IC) or an IgE protein, HMGB1, S100A8/A9, Tenascin C, LPS, heat shock proteins (HSPs), fibronectin, hyaluronan, Der P2, Respiratory Syncytial Virus F (RSV) F protein, Surfactant A, Coxsakievirus B4 (CSV B4), CXCL10, Resistin, Fetuin A, Saturated Fatty Acid (SFA), Biglycan, Modified Low-Density Lipoprotein (mLDL), advanced glycation end products (AGE) and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the citrullinated protein is citrullinated fibrinogen, citrullinated fibrin, citrullinated vimentin, a citrullinated histone (e.g., citrullinated histone 2b), citrullinated enolase or a citrullinated chemokine, (e.g. citrullinated CXCL10). In addition to detecting the level of one or more of these TLR4 ligands and/or biomarkers, suitable patients for treatment with an anti-TLR4 antagonist can also be identified by evaluating any of a number of additional biological and clinical parameters that will improve the sensitivity and specificity of the biomarker for identifying or otherwise refining the patient population. Alternatively, these additional biological and clinical parameters can be used alone as a means for identifying patients that are suitable candidates for treatment with an anti-TLR4 antagonist or other suitable therapy. These biological and clinical parameters include, by way of non-limiting example, any of the following: rheumatoid factor levels, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, blood cells count, presence of TLR4 receptor on blood cell subpopulations, TLR4 polymorphisms, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) polymorphisms, peptidyl arginine deiminase (PAD) enzymes and PAD enzyme polymorphisms, Fcγ Receptor IIa (FcγIIa) polymorphisms, MD-2 levels, soluble CD14 levels, baseline patient demographic data (e.g., body mass index (BMI), sex, age, etc.) and/or patient medical history (e.g., disability assessment schedule (DAS 28) at diagnosis, DAS 28 at treatment initiation, duration of disease, age at disease onset, response to prior treatments based on DAS28, American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and/or European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response criteria, etc.) In some embodiments, a combination of TLR4 ligands, other biomarkers and/or additional biological/clinical parameters is detected, for example, at least two TLR4 ligands, other biomarkers and/or additional biological/clinical parameters are detected, at least three TLR4 ligands, other biomarkers and/or additional biological/clinical parameters are detected, at least four TLR4 ligands, other biomarkers and/or additional biological/clinical parameters are detected, at least five TLR4 ligands, other biomarkers and/or additional biological/clinical parameters are detected, at least six TLR4 ligands, other biomarkers and/or additional biological/clinical parameters are detected, at least seven TLR4 ligands, other biomarkers and/or additional biological/clinical parameters are detected, at least eight TLR4 ligands, other biomarkers and/or additional biological/clinical parameters are detected, at least nine TLR4 ligands, other biomarkers and/or additional biological/clinical parameters are detected, or at least ten TLR4 ligands, other biomarkers and/or additional biological/clinical parameters or more are detected.

In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is S100A8/A9. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is ACPA. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is HMGB1. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a combination of S100A8/A9 and HMGB1. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a combination of S100A8/A9 and cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a combination of S100A8/A9 and ACPA. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a combination of ACPA and cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a combination of ACPA and HMGB1. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a combination of HMGB1 and cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a combination of S100A8/A9, ACPA and HMGB1. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a combination of S100A8/A9, ACPA and cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a combination of S100A8/A9, cFb-IC and HMGB1. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a combination of ACPA, HMGB1 and cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a combination of S100A8/A9, cFb-IC, ACPA and HMGB1.

In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a predictor of monocyte response to exposure to an anti-TLR4 agent, e.g., an anti-TLR4 mAb such as NI-0101. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte response to anti-TLR4 treatment is S100A8/A9. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte response to anti-TLR4 treatment is ACPA. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte response to anti-TLR4 treatment is HMGB1. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte response to anti-TLR4 treatment is cFb-IC.

In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a predictor of fibroblast response to exposure to an anti-TLR4 agent, e.g., an anti-TLR4 mAb such as NI-0101. In some embodiments, the predictor of fibroblast response to anti-TLR4 treatment is cFb-IC.

In some embodiments, the TLR4 ligand or other biomarker is a predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response to exposure to an anti-TLR4 agent, e.g., an anti-TLR4 mAb such as NI-0101. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is ACPA. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is S100A8/A9. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is HMGB1. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is a combination of S100A8/A9 and HMGB1. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is a combination of ACPA and cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is a combination of S100A8/A9 and cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is a combination of S100A8/A9 and ACPA. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is a combination of ACPA and cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is a combination of ACPA and HMGB1. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is a combination of HMGB1 and cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is a combination of S100A8/A9, ACPA and HMGB1. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is a combination of S100A8/A9, ACPA and cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is a combination of S100A8/A9, cFb-IC and HMGB1. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is a combination of ACPA, HMGB1 and cFb-IC. In some embodiments, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is a combination of S100A8/A9, cFb-IC, ACPA and HMGB1.

The studies provided herein demonstrate that agents that neutralize TLR4 activity, e.g., TLR4-mediated signaling, are effective to substantially or completely block pro-inflammatory cytokine production by activated cells in samples from patients suffering from or at risk for a disorder. The studies provided herein also demonstrate that targeting only the Fc region, e.g., through the use of agents that neutralize Fc activity, e.g., anti-CD32 antibodies, is effective to partially block pro-inflammatory cytokine production by activated cells in patients suffering from or at risk for a disorder. Anti-TLR4 antagonists are considered to completely block pro-inflammatory cytokine production by activated cells when the level of pro-inflammatory cytokine production by activated cells in the presence of the anti-TLR4 is decreased by at least 95%, e.g., by 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% as compared to the level of pro-inflammatory cytokine production by activated cells in the absence of interaction, e.g., binding, with the anti-TLR4 antagonist. Anti-TLR4 antagonists are considered to partially block pro-inflammatory cytokine production by activated cells when the level of pro-inflammatory cytokine production by activated cells in the presence of the anti-TLR4 is decreased by at least 50%, e.g., 55%, 60%, 75%, 80%, 85% or 90% as compared to the level of pro-inflammatory cytokine production by activated cells in the absence of interaction, e.g., binding, with the anti-TLR4 antagonist. Targeting only the Fc region, e.g., through the use of anti-Fc agents, is considered to partially block pro-inflammatory cytokine production by activated cells when the level of pro-inflammatory cytokine production by activated cells after targeting only the Fc region is decreased by less than 95%, e.g., 10%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 75%, 80%, 85% or 90% as compared to the level of pro-inflammatory cytokine production by activated cells in the absence of targeting only the Fc region, e.g., in the absence of an interaction, e.g., binding, with an anti-Fc agent.

Disorders that are useful with the compositions and methods of the invention include any disorder where aberrant, e.g., elevated, TLR4 expression and/or activity, with aberrant TLR4/MD-2 activation and/or aberrant TLR4 ligand activity (e.g., aberrant stimulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine production such as aberrant stimulation of IL-6, TNFα and/or IL-8 production). For example, some TLR4 ligands are believed to be associated with various disorders.

By way of non-limiting example, LPS is known to be associated with disorders such as sepsis, acute lung injury, and/or RA. (See e.g., Opal, S. M. 2007. The host response to endotoxin, antilipopolysaccharide strategies, and the management of severe sepsis. Int. J. Med. Microbial. 297: 365-377; Wahamaa, H., et al. High mobility group box protein 1 in complex with lipopolysaccharide or IL-1 promotes an increased inflammatory phenotype in synovial fibroblasts. Arthritis Res. Ther. 13: R136).

By way of non-limiting example, Tenascin C is known to be associated with disorders such as arthritis, hepatic and/or cardiac ischemial reperfusion. (See e.g., Kuriyama, N., et al. 2011. Tenascin-c: A novel mediator of hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury. Hepatology; Midwood, K. et al. 2009. Tenascin-C is an endogenous activator of Toll-like receptor 4 that is essential for maintaining inflammation in arthritic joint disease. Nat. Med. 15: 774-780; Taki, J., et al. 2010. Dynamic expression of tenascin-C after myocardial ischemia and reperfusion: assessment by 125I-anti-tenascin-C antibody imaging. J. Nucl. Med. 51: 1116-1122).

By way of non-limiting example, HMGB1 is known to be associated with disorders such as RA, Osteoarthritis (OA), ischemial reperfusion, Type 1 diabetes, islet transplantation, lupus and/or sepsis. (See e.g., Chen, J., et al. 2011. Toll-like receptor 4 regulates early endothelial activation during ischemic acute kidney injury. Kidney Int. 79: 288-299; Wahamaa, H., et al. High mobility group box protein 1 in complex with lipopolysaccharide or IL-1 promotes an increased inflammatory phenotype in synovial fibroblasts. Arthritis Res. Ther. 13: R136); Abdulahad, D. A., et al. 2011. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and anti-HMGB1 antibodies and their relation to disease characteristics in systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Res. Ther. 13: R71; Chen, J., et al. 2011. Early interleukin 6 production by leukocytes during ischemic acute kidney injury is regulated by TLR4. Kidney Int. 80: 504-515; Huang, W., et al. 2010. HMGB1, a potent proinflammatory cytokine in sepsis. Cytokine 51: 119-126; Jiang, W., and D. S. Pisetsky. 2008. Expression of high mobility group protein 1 in the sera of patients and mice with systemic lupus erythematosus. Ann. Rheum. Dis. 67: 727-728; Li, M., et al. 2012. Toll-like receptor 4 on beta cells senses expression changes in high-mobility group box 1 and contributes to the initiation of type 1 diabetes. Exp. Mol. Med; Matsuoka, N., et al. 2010. High-mobility group box 1 is involved in the initial events of early loss of transplanted islets in mice. J. Clin. Invest 120:735-743; Nogueira-Machado, J. A., et al., 2011. HMGB1, TLR and RAGE: a functional tripod that leads to diabetic inflammation. Expert. Opin. Ther. Targets. 15: 1023-1035; Schierbeck, H., et al. 2011. Monoclonal anti-HMGB1 antibody protection in two experimental arthritis models. Mol. Med. September-October; 17(9-10):1039-44. Epub 2011 Jun. 7; Urbonaviciute, V., and R. E. Voll. 2011. High-mobility group box 1 represents a potential marker of disease activity and novel therapeutic target in systemic lupus erythematosus. J. Intern. Med. 270: 309-318; Wu, H., et al. 2010. HMGB1 contributes to kidney ischemia reperfusion injury. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 21: 1878-1890).

By way of non-limiting example, S100A8/A9 is known to be associated with disorders such as RA, OA, juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), diabetes, transplant rejection, lupus, atherosclerosis, sepsis and/or cancer. (See e.g., Arai, K., et al. 2008. S100A8 and S100A9 overexpression is associated with poor pathological parameters in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. Curr. Cancer Drug Targets. 8: 243-252; Bouma, G., et al. 2004. Increased serum levels of MRP-8114 in type 1 diabetes induce an increased expression of CD11b and an enhanced adhesion of circulating monocytes to fibronectin. Diabetes 53: 1979-1986; Frosch, M., et al. 2009. The myeloid-related proteins 8 and 14 complex, a novel ligand of toll-like receptor 4, and interleukin-1beta form a positive feedback mechanism in systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 60: 883-891; Ionita, M. G., et al. 2009. High levels of myeloid-related protein 14 in human atherosclerotic plaques correlate with the characteristics of rupture-prone lesions. Arterioscler. Thromb. Vase. Biol. 29: 1220-1227; Jung, D. Y., et al. 2008. Combined use of myeloid-related protein 8114 and procalcitonin as diagnostic markers for acute allograft rejection in kidney transplantation recipients. Transpl. Immunol. 18: 338-343; Kawai, H., et al. 2011. Prognostic impact of S100A9 overexpression in non-small cell lung cancer. Tumour. Biol. 32: 641-646; Loser, K., et al. 2010. The Toll-like receptor 4 ligands Mrp8 and Mrp14 are crucial in the development of autoreactive CD8′ T cells. Nat. Med. 16: 713-717; Peng, W. H., et al. 2011. Increased serum myeloid-related protein 8/14 level is associated with atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients. Cardiovasc. Diabetol. 10: 41; Schulze zur, W. A., et al. 2004. Myeloid related proteins MRP8/MRP14 may predict disease flares in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Clin. Exp. Rheumatol. 22: 368-373; Soyfoo, M. S., et al. 2009. Phagocyte-specific S100A8/A9 protein levels during disease exacerbations and infections in systemic lupus erythematosus. J. Rheumatol. 36: 2190-2194; Sunahori, K., et al. 2006. The S100A8/A9 heterodimer amplifies proinflammatory cytokine production by macrophages via activation of nuclear factor kappa B and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Res. Ther. 8: R69; van Lent, P. L., et al. 2010. S100A8 causes a shift toward expression of activatory Fcgamma receptors on macrophages via toll-like receptor 4 and regulates Fcgamma receptor expression in synovium during chronic experimental arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 62: 3353-3364; van Zoelen, M. A., et al. 2009. Expression and role of myeloid-related protein-14 in clinical and experimental sepsis. Am. J. Respir. Crit Care Med. 180: 1098-1106; Zreiqat, H., et al. 2010. S100A8 and S100A9 in experimental osteoarthritis. Arthritis Res. Ther. 12: R16).

By way of non-limiting example, citrullinated fibrinogen is known to be associated with disorders such as RA and atherosclerosis. (See e.g., Kuhns, D. B., et al. 2007. Induction of human monocyte interleukin (IL)-8 by fibrinogen through the toll-like receptor pathway. Inflammation 30: 178-188; Smiley, S. T., et al. 2001. Fibrinogen stimulates macrophage chemokine secretion through toll-like receptor 4. J. Immunol. 167: 2887-2894; Sokolove, J., et al. 2011. Immune complexes containing citrullinated fibrinogen costimulate macrophages via Toll-like receptor 4 and Fcgamma receptor. Arthritis Rheum. 63: 53-62).

By way of non-limiting example, ACPA is known to be associated with disorders such as RA, psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjogren's syndrome, Alzheimer disease and/or atherosclerosis. (See e.g., Nicholas A P. Dual immunofluorescence study of citrullinated proteins in Alzheimer diseased frontal cortex. Neurosci Lett. 2013 Jun. 17; 545:107-11. Epub 2013 May 3. PubMed PMID: 23648390); Giles J T, et al. Association of fine specificity and repertoire expansion of anticitrullinated peptide antibodies with rheumatoid arthritis associated interstitial lung disease. Ann Rheum Dis. 2013 May 28. (Epub ahead of print) PubMed PMID: 23716070); G6mara MJ, Haro I. Citrullinated peptides in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Curr Top Med Chem. 2013; 13(6):743-51. PubMed PMID: 23574523); Dalmady S, et al. Higher levels of autoantibodies targeting mutated citrullinated vimentin in patients with psoriatic arthritis than in patients with psoriasis vulgaris. Clin Dev Immunol. 2013; 2013:474028. March 18. PubMed PMID: 23573111; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3614022); Herrera-Esparza R, et al. Posttranslational Protein Modification in the Salivary Glands of Sjogren's Syndrome Patients. Autoimmune Dis. 2013; 2013:548064. Epub 2013 Mar. 5. PubMed PMID: 23533719; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3603161); and Cambridge G, et al. Antibodies to citrullinated peptides and risk of coronary heart disease. Atherosclerosis. 2013 May; 228(1):243-6. Epub 2013 Feb. 18. PubMed PMID: 23474125).

In other non-limiting examples, TLR4 ligands such as heat shock proteins (HSPs), HMGB1 and/or S100A8/A9 are believed to be associated with ischemia/reperfusion injury (FR injury). By way of non-limiting example, TLR4 ligands such as HMGB1, S100A8/A9, fibronectin, citrullinated Fibrinogen and/or Tenascin C are believed to be associated with arthritis. By way of non-limiting example, TLR4 ligands such as heat shock proteins (HSPs), hyaluronan, Der P2, Respiratory Syncytial Virus F (RSV) F protein, Surfactant A and/or LPS are believed to be associated with lung diseases. By way of non-limiting example, TLR4 ligands such as Coxsakievirus B4 (CSV B4), CXCL10, Resistin, Fetuin A, Saturated Fatty Acid (SFA), HMGB1 and/or S100A8/A9 are believed to be associated with diabetes. By way of non-limiting example, TLR4 ligands such as heat shock proteins (HSPs), hyaluronan, Der P2, Respiratory Syncytial Virus F (RSV) F protein, Surfactant A and/or LPS are associated with lung diseases. By way of non-limiting example, TLR4 ligands such as HMGB1, S100A8/A9 Biglycan, Modified Low-Density Lipoprotein (mLDL) and/or are advanced glycation end products (AGE) are believed to be associated with kidney diseases.

Neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibodies of the invention include, for example, the heavy chain complementarity determining regions (CDRs) shown below in Table 2A, the light chain CDRs shown in Table 2B, and combinations thereof

TABLE 2A VH CDR sequences from antibody clones that bind and neutralize TLR4 Clone ID Heavy CDR1 Heavy CDR2 Heavy CDR3 Nl-0101 GGYSWH YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKT KDPSDAFPY (SEQ ID NO: 1) (SEQ ID NO: 2) (SEQ ID NO: 3) 1A1 GYSIT...GGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGRLLPY (SEQ ID NO: 15) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 25) 1A6 GYSIT...GGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGKWLPY (SEQ ID NO: 15) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 26) 1812 GYSIT...GGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGHLMPY (SEQ ID NO: 15) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 27) 1C7 GYSIT...GGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGHNYPY (SEQ ID NO: 15) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 28) 1C10 GYSIT...GGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGKNFPY (SEQ ID NO: 15) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 29) 1C12 GYSIT...GGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGQLFPY (SEQ ID NO: 15) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 30) 1010 GYSIT...GGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGHNLPY (SEQ ID NO: 15) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 31) 1E11 GYSIT...GGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 15) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 24) 1E11 N103D GYSIT...GGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGDYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 15) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 32) 1G12 GYSIT...GGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGRYWPY (SEQ ID NO: 15) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 33) 1E11.C1 GFPIR...YGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 16) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 24) 1E11.C2 GYPIR...FGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 17) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 24) 1E11.C3 GYPIR...HGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 18) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 24) 1E11.C4 GFPIG...QGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 19) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 24) 1E11.C5 GYPIW...GGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 20) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 24) 1E11.C6 GYPIG...GGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 21) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 24) 1E11.E1 GYSIT...GGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 15) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 24) 1E11.E2 GYSIT...GGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 15) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 24) 1E11.E3 GYSIT...GGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 15) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 24) 1E11.E4 GYSIT...GGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 15) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 24) 1E11.E5 GYSIT...GGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 15) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 24) 1E11.C2E1 GYPIR...FGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 17) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 24) 1E11.C2E3 GYPIR...FGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 17) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 24) 1E11.C2E4 GYPIR...FGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 17) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 24) 1E11.C2E5 GYPIR...FGYS IHYS...GYT ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 17) (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 24)

TABLE 2B VL CDR sequences from antibody clones that bind and neutralize TLR4 Clone ID Light CDR1 Light CDR2 Light CDR3 Nl-0101 RASQSISDHLH YASHAIS QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 4) (SEQ ID NO: 5) (SEQ ID NO: 6) 1A1 QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 6) 1A6 QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 6) 1812 QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 6) 1C7 QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 6) 1C10 QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 6) 1C12 QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 6) 1010 QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 6) 1E11 QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 6) 1E11 N103D QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 6) 1G12 QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 6) 1E11.C1 QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 6) 1E11.C2 QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 6) 1E11.C3 QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 6) 1E11.C4 QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 6) 1E11.C5 QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 6) 1E11.C6 QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 6) 1E11.E1 QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGNDFPVT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 37) 1E11.E2 QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGYDEPFT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 38) 1E11.E3 QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGYDFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 39) 1E11.E4 QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGYDYPLT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 40) 1E11.E5 QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGYEFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 41) 1E11.C2E1 QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGNDFPVT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 37) 1E11.C2E3 QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGYDFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 39) 1E11.C2E4 QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGYDYPLT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 40) 1E11.C2E5 QSI......SDH YA.......S QQGYEFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 34) (SEQ ID NO: 35) (SEQ ID NO: 41)

TLR4 antibodies of the invention include, for example, antibodies having the combination of heavy chain and light chain sequences shown below.

Exemplary antibodies of the invention include, for example, the anti-TLR4 antibodies described in PCT/IB2005/004206, filed Jun. 14, 2005 and published as WO 2007/110678, the anti-TLR4 antibodies described in PCT application PCT/IB2008/003978, filed May 14, 2008 and published as WO 2009/101479, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, and commercially available antibodies such as HTA125.

Exemplary antibodies of the invention include, for example, the antibody referred to herein as NI-0101, which is also referred to herein and in the Figures as “hul5C1,” which binds the human TLR4/MD2 complex and also binds TLR4 independently of the presence of MD-2. The sequences of the N1-0101 (hul5c1) antibody are shown below, with the CDR sequences underlined in the VH and VL amino acid sequences:

NI-0101 heavy chain nucleotide sequence: (SEQ ID NO: 11) ATGGGATGGAGCTGGATCTTTCTCTTCCTCCTGTCAGGAACTGCAGGTGT ACATTGCCAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTT CGGACACCCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACTCCATCACCGGT GGTTATAGCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTG GATGGGGTATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCA AGACTCGAATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTG AAGCTGAGCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAG AAAAGATCCGTCCGACGCCTTTCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCA CTGTCTCTTCCGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATCGGTCTTCCCCCTGGCACCC TCCTCCAAGAGCACCTCTGGGGGCACAGCGGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTCAA GGACTACTTCCCCGAACCGGTGACGGTGTCGTGGAACTCAGGCGCCCTGA CCAGCGGCGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCTAC TCCCTCAGCAGCGTGGTGACCGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACCCAGAC CTACATCTGCAACGTGAATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGA GAGTTGAGCCCAAATCTTGTGACAAAACTCACACATGCCCACCGTGCCCA GCACCTGAACTCCTGGGGGGACCGTCAGTCTTCCTCTTCCCCCCAAAACC CAAGGACACCCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACATGCGTGGTGG TGGACGTGAGCCACGAAGACCCTGAGGTCAAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGAC GGCGTGGAGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTACAA CAGCACGTACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGC TGAATGGCAAGGAGTACAAATGCAAGGTCTCCAGTAAAGCTTTCCCTGCC CCCATCGAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAACCACA GGTGTACACCCTGCCCCCATCCCGGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCA GCCTGACCTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTATCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAG TGGGAGAGCAATGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCCGT GCTGGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTATAGCAAGCTCACCGTGGACA AGAGCAGGTGGCAGCAGGGGAACGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATGAG GCTCTGCACAACCACTACACGCAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCCGGGTAA ATAG NI-0101 heavy chain amino acid sequence: (SEQ ID NO: 9) MGWSWIFLFLLSGTAGVHCQVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYSITG GYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMGYIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSL KLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKDPSDAFPYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAP SSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLY SLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCP APELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVD GVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSSKAFPA PIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVE WESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHE ALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK NI-0101 light chain nucleotide sequence: (SEQ ID NO: 12) ATGGAATGGAGCTGGGTCTTTCTCTTCTTCCTGTCAGTAACTACAGGTGT CCACTCCGAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTC CAAAGGAAAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGAC CACTTACACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCAT CAAATATGCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCA GTGGGTCTGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAA GATGCTGCAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGTCACAGTTTTCCGCTCACTTT CGGCGGAGGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAACGTACGGTGGCTGCACCATCTG TCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATCTGGAACTGCCTCT GTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAGGCCAAAGTACAGTG GAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCCAGGAGAGTGTCACAG AGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAGCAGCACCCTGACGCTG AGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTACGCCTGCGAAGTCACCCA TCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCTTCAACAGGGGAGAGTGTT AG NI-0101 light chain amino acid sequence: (SEQ ID NO: 10) MEWSWVFLFFLSVTTGVHSEIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISD HLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKYASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAE DAATYYCQQGHSFPLTFGGGTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTAS VVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTL SKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC

The NI-0101 (hul5c1) antibody includes VH CDRs having the sequences GGYSWH (SEQ ID NO: 1), YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKT (SEQ ID NO: 2), and KDPSDAFPY (SEQ ID NO: 3), and VL CDRs having the sequences RASQSISDHLH (SEQ ID NO: 4), YASHAIS (SEQ ID NO: 5) and QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 6).

The amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of the heavy chain variable (VH) and light chain variable (VL) regions of the anti-TLR4/MD2 antibodies are shown below. The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) as defined by Chothia et al. 1989, E. A. Kabat et al., 1991 are highlighted in underlined and italicized text below. (See Chothia, C, et al., Nature 342:877-883 (1989); Kabat, E A, et al., Sequences of Protein of immunological interest, Fifth Edition, US Department of Health and Human Services, US Government Printing Office (1991)).

Anti-TLR4 antibodies include the antibodies described in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/009,939, filed Dec. 10, 2004 and Ser. No. 11/151,916, filed Jun. 15, 2004 and in WO 05/065015, filed Dec. 10, 2004 and PCT/US2005/020930, filed Jun. 15, 2004, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Several exemplary antibodies include the antibodies referred to therein as 18H10, 1607, 15C1 and 7E3.

Anti-TLR4 antibodies include the antibodies described in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/151,916, filed Jun. 15, 2004 (U.S. Patent Publication No. US 2008-0050366 A1) and in PCT/IB2005/004206, filed Jun. 15, 2004 (PCT Publication No. WO 07/110678), each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The sequences of several exemplary antibodies are shown below.

15C1 Hu V_(H) version 4-28 (SEQ ID NO: 42)

CDR 1: GGYSWH (SEQ ID NO: 1) CDR 2: YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKT (SEQ ID NO: 2) CDR 3: KDPSDGFPY (SEQ ID NO: 138) Where X₁ _(is) Thr or Ser Where X₂ is Ile or Met Where X₃ is Val or Ile Where X₄ is Met or Ile 15C1 Hu V_(H) version 3-66 (SEQ ID NO: 43)

CDR 1: GGYSWH (SEQ ID NO: 1) CDR 2: YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKT (SEQ ID NO: 2) CDR 3: KDPSDGFPY (SEQ ID NO: 138) Where X₁ is Ala or Val Where X₂ is Val or Met Where X₃ is Leu or Phe 15C1 Hu VL version L6 (SEQ ID NO: 44)

CDR1: RASQSISDHLH (SEQ ID NO: 4) CDR2: YASHAIS (SEQ ID NO: 5) CDR3: QNGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 139) Where X₁ is Lys or Tyr 15C1 Hu VL version A26 (SEQ ID NO: 45)

GGGTKVEIK CDR1: RASQSISDHLH (SEQ ID NO: 4) CDR2: YASHAIS (SEQ ID NO: 5) CDR3: QNGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 139) 18H10 Hu VH version 1-69 (SEQ ID NO: 46)

CDR1: DSYIH (SEQ ID NO: 47) CDR2: WTDPENVNSIYDPRFQG (SEQ ID NO: 48) CDR3: GYNGVYYAMDY (SEQ ID NO: 49) Where X₁ is Met or Ile Where X₂ is Lys or Thr Where X₃ is Met or Leu 18H10 Hu VL version L6 (SEQ ID NO: 50)

CDR1: SASSSVIYMH (SEQ ID NO: 51) CDR2: RTYNLAS (SEQ ID NO: 52) CDR3: HQWSSFPYT (SEQ ID NO: 53) Where X₁ is Phe or Tyr 7E3 Hu VH version 2-70 (SEQ ID NO: 54)

CDR1: TYNIGVG (SEQ ID NO: 55) CDR2: HIWWNDNIYYNTVLKS (SEQ ID NO: 56) CDR3: MAEGRYDAMDY (SEQ ID NO: 57) Where X₁ is Ser or Thr Where X₂ is Ile or Phe Where X₃ is Ile or Ala 7E3 Hu VH version 3-66 (SEQ ID NO: 58)

CDR1: TYNIGVG (SEQ ID NO: 59) CDR2: HIWWNDNIYYNTVLKS (SEQ ID NO: 60) CDR3: MAEGRYDAMDY (SEQ ID NO: 61) Where X₁ is Phe or Ala Where X₂ is Val or Leu Where X₃ is Ile or Phe Where X₄ is Lys or Arg Where X₅ is Leu or Val Where X₆ is Ile or Ala 7E3 Hu VL version L19 (SEQ ID NO: 62)

CDR1: RASQDITNYLN (SEQ ID NO: 63) CDR2: YTSKLHS (SEQ ID NO: 64) CDR3: QQGNTFPWT (SEQ ID NO: 65) Where X₁ is Phe or Tyr Where X₂ is Tyr or Phe

Anti-TLR4 antibodies include the antibodies described in PCT/IB2008/003978, filed May 14, 2008 (PCT Publication No. WO 2009/101479), the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. These anti-TLR4 antibodies are modified to include one or more mutations in the CDR3 portion. The sequences of several exemplary antibodies are shown below.

15C1 humanized VH mutant 1 amino acid sequence: (SEQ ID NO: 7) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYSITGGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD PSDAFPYWGQGTLVTVSS 15C1 humanized VH mutant 1 nucleic acid sequence: (SEQ ID NO: 66) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACTCCATCACCGGTGGTTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT CCGTCCGACGCCTTTCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC 15C1 humanized VH mutant 2 amino acid sequence: (SEQ ID NO: 67) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYSITGGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD PSEGFPYWGQGTLVTVSS 15C1 humanized VH mutant 2 nucleic acid sequence: (SEQ ID NO: 68) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACTCCATCACCGGTGGTTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT CCGTCCGAGGGATTTCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC 15C1 humanized VL mutant 1 amino acid sequence: (SEQ ID NO: 69) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQNSHSFPLTFGG GTKVEIK 15C1 humanized VL mutant 1 nucleic acid sequence: (SEQ ID NO: 70) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGAATAGTCACAGTTTTCCGCTCACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA 15C1 humanized VL mutant 2 amino acid sequence: (SEQ ID NO: 8) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGHSFPLTFGG GTKVEIK 15C1 humanized VL mutant 2 nucleic acid sequence: (SEQ ID NO: 71) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGTCACAGTTTTCCGCTCACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAA A 15C1 humanized VL mutant 3 amino acid sequence: (SEQ ID NO: 72) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQNSSSFPLTFGG GTKVEIK 15C1 humanized VL mutant 3 nucleic acid sequence: (SEQ ID NO: 73) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGAATAGTAGTAGTTTTCCGCTCACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA 15C1 humanized VL mutant 4 amino acid sequence: (SEQ ID NO: 74) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQSHSFPLTFGG GTKVEIK 15C1 humanized VL mutant 4 nucleic acid sequence: (SEQ ID NO: 75) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGAGTCACAGTTTTCCGCTCACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA

Antibodies of the invention interfere with or otherwise antagonize signaling via human and/or cynomolgus monkey TLR4 and/or human and/or cynomolgus monkey TLR4/MD-2 complexes. In some embodiments, the antibody binds to an epitope that includes one or more amino acid residues on human and/or cynomolgus monkey TLR4 having the following sequences:

>Human TLR4 amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 76) MMSASRLAGTLIPAMAFLSCVRPESWEPCVEVVPNITYQCMELNFYKIPD NLPFSTKNLDLSFNPLRHLGSYSFFSFPELQVLDLSRCEIQTIEDGAYQS LSHLSTLILTGNPIQSLALGAFSGLSSLQKLVAVETNLASLENFPIGHLK TLKELNVAHNLIQSFKLPEYFSNLTNLEHLDLSSNKIQSIYCTDLRVLHQ MPLLNLSLDLSLNPMNFIQPGAFKEIRLHKLTLRNNFDSLNVMKTCIQGL AGLEVHRLVLGEFRNEGNLEKFDKSALEGLCNLTIEEFRLAYLDYYLDDI IDLFNCLTNVSSFSLVSVTIERVKDFSYNFGWQHLELVNCKFGQFPTLKL KSLKRLTFTSNKGGNAFSEVDLPSLEFLDLSRNGLSFKGCCSQSDFGTTS LKYLDLSFNGVITMSSNFLGLEQLEHLDFQHSNLKQMSEFSVFLSLRNLI YLDISHTHTRVAFNGIFNGLSSLEVLKMAGNSFQENFLPDIFTELRNLTF LDLSQCQLEQLSPTAFNSLSSLQVLNMSHNNFFSLDTFPYKCLNSLQVLD YSLNHIMTSKKQELQHFPSSLAFLNLTQNDFACTCEHQSFLQWIKDQRQL LVEVERMECATPSDKQGMPVLSLNITCQMNKTIIGVSVLSVLVVSVVAVL VYKFYFHLMLLAGCIKYGRGENIYDAFVIYSSQDEDWVRNELVKNLEEGV PPFQLCLHYRDFIPGVAIAANIIHEGFHKSRKVIVVVSQHFIQSRWCIFE YEIAQTWQFLSSRAGIIFIVLQKVEKTLLRQQVELYRLLSRNTYLEWEDS VLGRHIFWRRLRKALLDGKSWNPEGTVGTGCNWQEATSI >Cynomolgus monkey TLR4 amino acid sequence 1 (SEQ ID NO: 77) MTSALRLAGTLIPAMAFLSCVRPESWEPCVEVVPNITYQCMELKFYKIPD NIPFSTKNLDLSFNPLRHLGSYSFLRFPELQVLDLSRCEIQTIEDGAYQS LSHLSTLILTGNPIQSLALGAFSGLSSLQKLVAVETNLASLENFPIGHLK TLKELNVAHNLIQSFKLPEYFSNLTNLEHLDLSSNKIQNIYCKDLQVLHQ MPLSNLSLDLSLNPINFIQPGAFKEIRLHKLTLRSNFDDLNVMKTCIQGL AGLEVHRLVLGEFRNERNLEEFDKSSLEGLCNLTIEEFRLTYLDCYLDNI IDLFNCLANVSSFSLVSVNIKRVEDFSYNFRWQHLELVNCKFEQFPTLEL KSLKRLTFTANKGGNAFSEVDLPSLEFLDLSRNGLSFKGCCSQSDFGTTS LKYLDLSFNDVITMSSNFLGLEQLEHLDFQHSNLKQMSQFSVFLSLRNLI YLDISHTHTRVAFNGIFDGLLSLKVLKMAGNSFQENFLPDIFTDLKNLTF LDLSQCQLEQLSPTAFDTLNKLQVLNMSHNNFFSLDTFPYKCLPSLQVLD YSLNHIMTSNNQELQHFPSSLAFLNLTQNDFACTCEHQSFLQWIKDQRQL LVEAERMECATPSDKQGMPVLSLNITCQMNKTIIGVSVFSVLVVSVVAVL VYKFYFHLMLLAGCIKYGRGENIYDAFVIYSSQDEDWVRNELVKNLEEGV PPFQLCLHYRDFIPGVAIAANIIHEGFHKSRKVIVVVSQHFIQSRWCIFE YEIAQTWQFLSSRAGIIFIVLQKVEKTLLRQQVELYRLLSRNTYLEWEDS VLGQHIFWRRLRKALLDGKSWNPEEQ

Antibodies of the invention interfere with or otherwise antagonize signaling via human and/or cynomolgus monkey TLR4 and/or human and/or cynomolgus monkey TLR4/MD-2 complexes. In some embodiments, the antibody binds to an epitope that includes one or more amino acid residues on human and/or cynomolgus monkey TLR4 between residues 289 and 375 of SEQ ID NO: 76 (human TLR4) and/or SEQ ID NO: 77 (cynomolgus TLR4). For example, TLR4 antibodies specifically bind to an epitope that includes residue 349 of SEQ ID NO: 76 (human) and/or SEQ ID NO: 77 (cynomolgus). In some embodiments, the epitope also includes additional residues, for example, residues selected from the group consisting of at least residues 328 and 329 of SEQ ID NO: 76 (human) and/or SEQ ID NO: 77 (cynomolgus); at least residue 351 of SEQ ID NO: 76 (human) and/or SEQ ID NO: 77 (cynomolgus); and at least residues 369 through 371 of SEQ ID NO: 76 (human) and/or SEQ ID NO: 77 (cynomolgus), and any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the invention provides an isolated antibody that specifically binds Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), wherein the antibody binds to an epitope that includes at least residue 349 of SEQ ID NO: 76 and an epitope that includes at least residue 349 of SEQ ID NO; 76. In some embodiments, the antibody includes a heavy chain with three complementarity determining regions (CDRs) including a variable heavy chain complementarity determining region 1 (CDRH1) amino acid sequence of GYSITGGYS (SEQ ID NO: 15); a variable heavy chain complementarity determining region 2 (CDRH2) amino acid sequence of IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and a variable heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (CDRH3) amino acid sequence of ARKDSG(X₁)(X₂)(X₃)PY (SEQ ID NO: 14), where X₁ is N, Q, D or E, X₂ is any hydrophobic amino acid, and X₃ is any hydrophobic amino acid; and a light chain with three CDRs including a variable light chain complementarity determining region 1 (CDRL1) amino acid sequence of QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); a variable light chain complementarity determining region 2 (CDRL2) amino acid sequence of YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and a variable light chain complementarity determining region 3 (CDRL3) amino acid sequence of QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 6). In some embodiments, the epitope further includes at least residues 328 and 329 of SEQ ID NO: 76 and SEQ ID NO: 76. In some embodiments, the epitope further includes at least residue 351 of SEQ ID NO: 76 and SEQ ID NO: 76. In some embodiments, the epitope further includes one or more residues between residues 369 through 371 of SEQ ID NO: 76 and SEQ ID NO: 76. In some embodiments, the epitope further includes at least residues 369 through 371 of SEQ ID NO: 76 and SEQ ID NO: 76. In some embodiments, the antibody specifically binds to an epitope that includes at least residues 328, 329, 349, 351 and 369 through 371 of SEQ ID NO:76 and SEQ ID NO: 76. In some embodiments, the antibody further includes an amino acid substitution in the gamma heavy chain constant region at EU amino acid position 325 and an amino acid substitution at EU amino acid position 328. In some embodiments, the amino acid substituted at EU amino acid position 325 is serine, and wherein the amino acid substituted at EU amino acid position 328 is phenylalanine.

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1E11 antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1E11 antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 78) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 79, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 8) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:80.

>1E11 VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 79) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACTCCATCACCGGTGGTTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT TCGGGCAACTACTTCCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC >1E11 VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 78) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYSITGGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGNYFPYWGQGTLVTVSS >1E11 VL nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 80) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGTCACAGTTTTCCGCTCACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA >1E11 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 8) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGHSFPLTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.1P.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1E11 antibody have the following sequences: GYSITGGYS (SEQ ID NO: 15); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 24). The light chain CDRs of the 1E11 antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 6).

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1A1 antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1A1 antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 82) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 81, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 8) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 80.

>1A1 VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 81) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACTCCATCACCGGTGGTTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT TCCGGCCGCCTCCTCCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC >1A1 VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 82) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYSITGGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGRLLPYWGQGTLVTVSS >1A1 VL nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 80) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGTCACAGTTTTCCGCTCACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA >1A1 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 8) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGHSFPLTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.1P.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1A1 antibody have the following sequences: GYSITGGYS (SEQ ID NO: 15); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGRLLPY (SEQ ID NO: 25). The light chain CDRs of the 1A1 antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 6).

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1A6 antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1A6 antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 84) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 83, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 8) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 80.

>1A6 VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 83) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACTCCATCACCGGTGGTTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT AGCGGCAAGTGGTTGCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC >1A6 VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 84) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYSITGGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGKWLPYWGQGTLVTVSS >1A6 VL nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 80) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGTCACAGTTTTCCGCTCACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAA A >1A6 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 8) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGHSFPLTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.IP.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1A6 antibody have the following sequences: GYSITGGYS (SEQ ID NO: 15); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGKWLPY (SEQ ID NO: 26). The light chain CDRs of the 1A6 antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 6).

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1B12 antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1B12 antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 86) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 85, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 8) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 80.

>1B12 VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 85) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACTCCATCACCGGTGGTTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT AGCGGGCACCTCATGCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC >1B12 VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 86) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYSITGGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGHLMPYWGQGTLVTVSS >1B12 VL nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 80) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGTCACAGTTTTCCGCTCACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA >1B12 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 8) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGHSFPLTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.1P.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1A6 antibody have the following sequences: GYSITGGYS (SEQ ID NO: 15); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGHLMPY (SEQ ID NO: 27). The light chain CDRs of the 1B12 antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 6).

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1C7 antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1C7 antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 88) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 87, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 8) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 80.

> 1C7 VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 87) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACTCCATCACCGGTGGTTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT TCCGGGCACAACTACCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC >1 C7 VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 88) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYSITGGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGHNYPYWGQGTLVTVSS >1 C7 VL nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 80) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGTCACAGTTTTCCGCTCACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA >1 C7 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 8) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGHSFPLTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.1P.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1C7 antibody have the following sequences: GYSITGGYS (SEQ ID NO: 15); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGHNYPY (SEQ ID NO: 28). The light chain CDRs of the 1C7 antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 6).

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1C10 antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1C10 antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 90) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 89, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 8) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:80.

>1C10 VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 89) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACTCCATCACCGGTGGTTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT AGCGGCAAGAACTTCCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC >1C10 VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 90) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYSITGGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGKNFPYWGQGTLVTVSS >1C10 VL nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 80) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGTCACAGTTTTCCGCTCACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA >1C10 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 8) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGHSFPLTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.1P.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1C10 antibody have the following sequences: GYSITGGYS (SEQ ID NO: 15); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGKNFPY (SEQ ID NO: 29). The light chain CDRs of the 1C10 antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 6).

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1C12 antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1C12 antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 92) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 91, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 8) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:80.

>1C12 VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 91) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACTCCATCACCGGTGGTTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT AGCGGCCAGTTGTTCCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC >1C12 VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 92) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYSITGGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGQLFPYWGQGTLVTVSS >1C12 VL nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 80) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGTCACAGTTTTCCGCTCACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA >1C12 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 8) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGHSFPLTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.1P.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1C12 antibody have the following sequences: GYSITGGYS (SEQ ID NO: 15); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGQLFPY (SEQ ID NO: 30). The light chain CDRs of the 1C12 antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 6).

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1D10 antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1D10 antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 94) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 93, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 8) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:80.

> 1D10 VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 93) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACTCCATCACCGGTGGTTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT AGCGGCCACAACTTGCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTcc > 1D10 VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 94) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYSITGGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGHNLPYWGQGTLVTVSS > 1D10 VL nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 80) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGTCACAGTTTTCCGCTCACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAA A > 1D10 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 8) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGHSFPLTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.IP.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1D10 antibody have the following sequences: GYSITGGYS (SEQ ID NO: 15); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGHNLPY (SEQ ID NO: 31). The light chain CDRs of the 1D10 antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 6).

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1E11 N103D antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1E11 N103D antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 96) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 95, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 8) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 80.

>1E11 N103D VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 95) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACTCCATCACCGGTGGTTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT TCGGGCGACTACTTCCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC >1E11 N103D VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 96) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYSITGGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGDYFPYWGQGTLVTVSS >1E11 N103D VL nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 80) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGTCACAGTTTTCCGCTCACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA >1E11 N103D VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 8) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGHSFPLTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.1P.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1E11 N103D antibody have the following sequences: GYSITGGYS (SEQ ID NO:15); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGDYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 32). The light chain CDRs of the 1E11 N103D antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 6).

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1G12 antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1012 antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 98) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 97, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 8) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:80.

>1G12 VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 97) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACTCCATCACCGGTGGTTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT TCCGGGCGGTACTGGCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC >1G12 VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 98) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYSITGGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGRYWPYWGQGTLVTVSS >1G12 VL nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 80) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGTCACAGTTTTCCGCTCACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA >1G12 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 8) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGHSFPLTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.1P.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1012 antibody have the following sequences: GYSITGGYS (SEQ ID NO: 15); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGRYWPY (SEQ ID NO: 33). The light chain CDRs of the 1E11 N103D antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 6).

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1E11.C1 antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1E11.C1 antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 100) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 99, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 8) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:80.

>1E11.C1 VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 99) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTTCCCGATCCGCTACGGGTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT TCGGGCAACTACTTCCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC >1E11.C1 VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 100) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGFPIRYGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGNYFPYWGQGTLVTVSS >1E11.C1 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 80) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGTCACAGTTTTCCGCTCACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA >1E11.C1 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 8) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGHSFPLTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.lP.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1E11.C1 antibody have the following sequences: GFPIRYGYS (SEQ ID NO: 16); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 24). The light chain CDRs of the 1E11.C1 antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 6).

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1E11.C2 antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1E11.C2 antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 102) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 101, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 80) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 8.

>1E11.C2 VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 101) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACCCGATCCGGTTCGGCTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT TCGGGCAACTACTTCCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC >1E11.C2 VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 102) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYPIRFGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGNYFPYWGQGTLVTVSS >1E11.C2 VL nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 80) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGTCACAGTTTTCCGCTCACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA >1E11.C2 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 8) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGHSFPLTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.1P.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1E11.C2 antibody have the following sequences: GYPIRFGYS (SEQ ID NO: 17); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 24). The light chain CDRs of the 1E11.C1 antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 6).

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1E11.C3 antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1E11.C3 antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 104) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 103, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 8) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:80.

>1E11.C3 VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 103) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACCCCATCCGGCACGGGTACA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT TCGGGCAACTACTTCCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC > 1E11.C3 VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 104) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYPIRHGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGNYFPYWGQGTLVTVSS > 1E11.C3 VL nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 80) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGTCACAGTTTTCCGCTCACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA > 1E11.C3 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 8) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGHSFPLTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.1P.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1E11.C3 antibody have the following sequences: GYPIRHGYS (SEQ ID NO:18); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 24). The light chain CDRs of the 1E11.C1 antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 6).

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1E11.C4 antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1E11.C4 antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 1 06) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 105, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 8) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 80.

> 1E11.C4 VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 105) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTTCCCGATCGGCCAGGGGTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT TCGGGCAACTACTTCCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC >1E11.C4 VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 106) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGFPIGQGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGNYFPYWGQGTLVTVSS >1E11.C4 VL nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 80) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGTCACAGTTTTCCGCTCACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAA A > 1E11.C4 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 8) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGHSFPLTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.1P.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1E11.C4 antibody have the following sequences: GFPIGQGYS (SEQ ID NO: 19); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 24). The light chain CDRs of the 1E11.C1 antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 6).

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1E11.C5 antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1E11.C5 antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 108) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 107, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 8) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:80.

>1E11.C5 VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 107) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACCCGATCTGGGGGGGCTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT TCGGGCAACTACTTCCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCCGCCTCCACC >1E11.C5 VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 108) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYPIWGGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGNYFPYWGQGTLVTVSS >1E11.C5 VL nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 80) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGTCACAGTTTTCCGCTCACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAA A >1E11.C5 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 8) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGHSFPLTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.IP.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1E11.C5 antibody have the following sequences: GYPIWGGYS (SEQ ID NO:20); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 24). The light chain CDRs of the 1E11.C1 antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 6).

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1E11.C6 antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1E11.C6 antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 110) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 109, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 8) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:80.

>1E11.C6 VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 109) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACCCCATCGGCGGCGGCTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT TCGGGCAACTACTTCCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC >1E11.C6 VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 110) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYPIGGGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGNYFPYWGQGTLVTVSS >1E11.C6 VL nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 80) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGTCACAGTTTTCCGCTCACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA >1E11.C6 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 8) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGHSFPLTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.1P.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1E11.C6 antibody have the following sequences: GYPIGGGYS (SEQ ID NO:21); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 24). The light chain CDRs of the 1E11.C1 antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 6).

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1E11.E1 antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1E11.E1 antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 78) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:77, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 112) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 111.

>1E11.E1 VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 79) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACTCCATCACCGGTGGTTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT TCGGGCAACTACTTCCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC >1E11.E1 VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 78) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYSITGGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGNYFPYWGQGTLVTVSS >1E11.E1 VL nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 111) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGGAACGACTTCCCGGTGACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA >1E11.E1 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 112) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGNDFPVTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.1P.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1E11.E1 antibody have the following sequences: GYSITGGYS (SEQ ID NO: 15); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 24). The light chain CDRs of the 1E11 antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGNDFPVT (SEQ ID NO: 37).

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1E11.E2 antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1E11.E2 antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 78) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:79, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 114) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 113.

>1E11.E2 VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 79) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACTCCATCACCGGTGGTTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT TCGGGCAACTACTTCCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC >1E11.E2 VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 78) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYSITGGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGNYFPYWGQGTLVTVSS >1E11.E2 VL nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 113) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGGTACGACGAGCCGTTCACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA >1E11.E2 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 114) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGYDEPFTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.1P.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1E11.E2 antibody have the following sequences: GYSITGGYS (SEQ ID NO: 15); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 24). The light chain CDRs of the 1E11 antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGYDEPFT (SEQ ID NO: 38).

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1E11.E3 antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1E11.E3 antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 78) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:79, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 116) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 115.

>1E11.E3 VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 79) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACTCCATCACCGGTGGTTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT TCGGGCAACTACTTCCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC >1E11.E3 VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 78) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYSITGGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGNYFPYWGQGTLVTVSS >1E11.E3 VL nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 115) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGCTACGACTTCCCGTTGACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA >1E11.E3 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 116) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGYDFPLTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.1P.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1E11.E3 antibody have the following sequences: GYSITGGYS (SEQ ID NO: 15); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 24). The light chain CDRs of the 1E11 antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGYDFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 39).

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1E11.E4 antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1E11.E4 antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 79) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:79, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 118) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 117.

>1E11.E4 VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 79) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACTCCATCACCGGTGGTTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT TCGGGCAACTACTTCCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC >1E11.E4 VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 78) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYSITGGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGNYFPYWGQGTLVTVSS >1E11.E4 VL nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 117) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGCTACGACTACCCGCTCACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA >1E11.E4 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 118) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGYDYPLTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.1P.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1E11.E4 antibody have the following sequences: GYSITGGYS (SEQ ID NO: 15); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 24). The light chain CDRs of the 1E11 antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGYDYPLT (SEQ ID NO: 40).

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1E11.E5 antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1E11.E5 antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 78) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:79, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 120) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 119.

>1E11.E5 VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 79) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACTCCATCACCGGTGGTTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT TCGGGCAACTACTTCCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC >1E11.E5 VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 78) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYSITGGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGNYFPYWGQGTLVTVSS >1E11.E5 VL nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 119) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGCTACGAGTTCCCGTTGACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA >1E11.E5 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 120) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGYEFPLTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.1P.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1E11.E5 antibody have the following sequences: GYSITGGYS (SEQ ID NO: 15); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 24). The light chain CDRs of the 1E11 antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGYEFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 41).

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1E11.C2E1 antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1E11.C2E1 antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 102) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 101, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 122) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 121.

>1E11.C2E1 VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 101) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACCCGATCCGGTTCGGCTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT TCGGGCAACTACTTCCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC >1E11.C2E1 VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 102) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYPIRFGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGNYFPYWGQGTLVTVSS >1E11.C2E1 VL nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 121) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGGAACGACTTCCCGGTGACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA >1E11.C2E1 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 122) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGNDFPVTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.1P.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1E11.C2E1 antibody have the following sequences: GYPIRFGYS (SEQ ID NO:17); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 24). The light chain CDRs of the 1E11 antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGNDFPVT (SEQ ID NO: 37).

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1E11.C2E3 antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1E11.C2E3 antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 102) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 101, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 124) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 123.

>1E11.C2E3 VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 101) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACCCGATCCGGTTCGGCTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT TCGGGCAACTACTTCCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC >1E11.C2E3 VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 102) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYPIRFGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGNYFPYWGQGTLVTVSS >1E11.C2E3 VL nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 123) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGCTACGACTTCCCGTTGACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA >1E11.C2E3 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 124) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGYDFPLTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.1P.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1E11.C2E3 antibody have the following sequences: GYPIRFGYS (SEQ ID NO:17); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 24). The light chain CDRs of the 1E11 antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGYDFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 39).

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1E11.C2E4 antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1E11.C2E4 antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 102) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 101, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 126) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 125.

>1E11.C2E4 VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 101) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACCCGATCCGGTTCGGCTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT TCGGGCAACTACTTCCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC >1E11.C2E4 VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 102) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYPIRFGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGNYFPYWGQGTLVTVSS >1E11.C2E4 VL nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 125) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGCTACGACTACCCGCTCACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA >1E11.C2E4 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 126) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGYDYPLTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.1 P.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1E11.C2E4 antibody have the following sequences: GYPIRFGYS (SEQ ID NO: 17); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 24). The light chain CDRs of the 1E11 antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGYDYPLT (SEQ ID NO: 40).

An exemplary TLR4 monoclonal antibody is the 1E11.C2E5 antibody described herein. As shown below, the 1E11.C2E5 antibody includes a heavy chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 102) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 101, and a light chain variable region (SEQ ID NO: 128) encoded by the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 127.

> 1E11.C2E5 VH nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 101) CAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGGACAC CCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACCCGATCCGGTTCGGCTATA GCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGATGGGG TATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGACTCG AATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAGCTGA GCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAAAGAT TCGGGCAACTACTTCCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTGTCTC TTCC > 1E11.C2E5 VH amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 102) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYPIRFGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGNYFPYWGQGTLVTVSS > 1E11.C2E5 VL nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 127) GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGACTCCAAAGGA AAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGCGACCACTTAC ACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCTCATCAAATAT GCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTC TGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCTGAAGATGCTG CAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGCTACGAGTTCCCGTTGACTTTCGGCGGA GGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAA >1E11.C2E5 VL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 128) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGYEFPLTFGG GTKVEIK

The amino acids encompassing the complementarity determining regions (CDR) are as defined by M. P. Lefranc (See Lefranc, M.-P., Current Protocols in Immunology, J. Wiley and Sons, New York supplement 40, Al.P.l-A.IP.37 (2000) LIGM:230). The heavy chain CDRs of the 1E11.C2E5 antibody have the following sequences: GYPIRFGYS (SEQ ID NO:17); IHYSGYT (SEQ ID NO: 22); and ARKDSGNYFPY (SEQ ID NO: 24). The light chain CDRs of the 1E11 antibody have the following sequences: QSISDH (SEQ ID NO: 34); YAS (SEQ ID NO: 35); and QQGYEFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 41).

In some embodiments, the TLR4 antibodies are formatted in an IgG isotype. In some embodiments, the TLR4 antibodies are formatted in an IgG1 isotype.

An exemplary IgG1-formatted antibody is the IgG1-formatted 1E11 antibody comprising the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 130 and the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 132, as shown below:

>1E11 Heavy Chain Amino Acid Sequence (SEQ ID NO: 130) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYSITGGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKD SGNYFPYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDY FPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYI CNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKD TLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNST YRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVY TLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLD SDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPG >1E11 Light Chain Amino Acid Sequence (SEQ ID NO: 132) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGHSFPLTFGG GTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWKV DNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQG LSSPVTKSFNRGEC >1E11 Light Chain Nucleic Acid Sequence (SEQ ID NO: 131) ATGAGTGTGCCCACTCAGGTCCTGGGGTTGCTGCTGCTGTGGCTTACAGA TGCCAGATGTGAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGA CTCCAAAGGAAAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGC GACCACTTACACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCT CATCAAATATGCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTG GCAGTGGGTCTGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCT GAAGATGCTGCAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGTCACAGTTTTCCGCTCAC TTTCGGCGGAGGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAACGTACGGTGGCTGCACCAT CTGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATCTGGAACTGCC TCTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAGGCCAAAGTACA GTGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCCAGGAGAGTGTCA CAGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAGCAGCACCCTGACG CTGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTACGCCTGCGAAGTCAC CCATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCTTCAACAGGGGAGAGT GTTAA > 1E11 Heavy Chain Nucleic Acid Sequence (SEQ ID NO: 129) ATGGAATGGAGCTGGGTCTTTCTCTTCTTCCTGTCAGTAACTACAGGTGT CCACCAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGG ACACCCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTACTCCATCACCGGTGGT TATAGCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGAT GGGGTATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGA CTCGAATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAG CTGAGCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAA AGATCCGTCCGACGCCTTTCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTG TCTCTTCCGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATCGGTCTTCCCCCTGGCACCCTCC TCCAAGAGCACCTCTGGGGGCACAGCGGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGA CTACTTCCCCGAACCGGTGACAGTCTCGTGGAACTCAGGAGCCCTGACCA GCGGCGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCC CTCAGCAGCGTGGTGACTGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACCCAGACCTA CATCTGCAACGTGAATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAGAG TTGAGCCCAAATCTTGTGACAAAACTCACACATGCCCACCGTGCCCAGCA CCTGAACTCCTGGGGGGACCGTCAGTCTTCCTCTTCCCCCCAAAACCCAA GGACACCCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACATGCGTGGTGGTGG ACGTGAGCCACGAAGACCCTGAGGTCAAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGACGGC GTGGAGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTACAACAG CACGTACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGA ATGGCAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGCCCTCCCAGCCCCC ATCGAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAACCACAGGT GTATACCCTGCCCCCATCTCGGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAGCC TGACTTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTATCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAGTGG GAGAGCAACGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCCGTGCT GGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTATAGCAAGCTCACCGTGGACAAGT CCAGGTGGCAGCAGGGGAACGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATGAGGCT CTGCACAACCACTACACGCAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCCGGGTTAA

An exemplary IgG1-formatted antibody is the IgG1-formatted 1E11.C11 antibody comprising the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 134 and the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 136, as shown below:

>1E11.C1 Light Chain Amino Acid Sequence (SEQ ID NO: 136) EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKY ASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGHSFPLTFGG GTKVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWKV DNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQG LSSPVTKSFNRGEC > 1E11.C1 Heavy Chain Amino Acid Sequence (SEQ ID NO: 134) QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGFPIRYGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMG YIHYSGYTDFNPLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKDS GNYFPYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYF PEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYIC NVNHKPSNTKVDKRVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDT LMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTY RVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYT LPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDS DGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPG > 1E11.C1 Light Chain Nucleic Acid Sequence (SEQ ID NO: 135) ATGAGTGTGCCCACTCAGGTCCTGGGGTTGCTGCTGCTGTGGCTTACAGA TGCCAGATGTGAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCTCCAGACTTTCAGTCTGTGA CTCCAAAGGAAAAAGTCACCATCACCTGCAGGGCCAGTCAGAGTATCAGC GACCACTTACACTGGTACCAACAGAAACCTGATCAGTCTCCCAAGCTCCT CATCAAATATGCTTCCCATGCCATTTCTGGGGTCCCATCGAGGTTCAGTG GCAGTGGGTCTGGGACAGACTTCACTCTCACCATCAATAGCCTAGAGGCT GAAGATGCTGCAACGTATTACTGTCAGCAGGGTCACAGTTTTCCGCTCAC TTTCGGCGGAGGGACCAAGGTGGAGATCAAACGTACGGTGGCTGCACCAT CTGTCTTCATCTTCCCGCCATCTGATGAGCAGTTGAAATCTGGAACTGCC TCTGTTGTGTGCCTGCTGAATAACTTCTATCCCAGAGAGGCCAAAGTACA GTGGAAGGTGGATAACGCCCTCCAATCGGGTAACTCCCAGGAGAGTGTCA CAGAGCAGGACAGCAAGGACAGCACCTACAGCCTCAGCAGCACCCTGACG CTGAGCAAAGCAGACTACGAGAAACACAAAGTCTACGCCTGCGAAGTCAC CCATCAGGGCCTGAGCTCGCCCGTCACAAAGAGCTTCAACAGGGGAGAGT GTTAA > 1E11.C1 Heavy Chain Nucleic Acid Sequence (SEQ ID NO: 133) ATGGAATGGAGCTGGGTCTTTCTCTTCTTCCTGTCAGTAACTACAGGTGT CCACCAGGTGCAGCTTCAGGAGTCCGGCCCAGGACTGGTGAAGCCTTCGG ACACCCTGTCCCTCACCTGCGCTGTCTCTGGTTTCCCGATCCGCTACGGG TATAGCTGGCACTGGATACGGCAGCCCCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGTGGAT GGGGTATATCCACTACAGTGGTTACACTGACTTCAACCCCTCCCTCAAGA CTCGAATCACCATATCACGTGACACGTCCAAGAACCAGTTCTCCCTGAAG CTGAGCTCTGTGACCGCTGTGGACACTGCAGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGAAA AGATTCGGGCAACTACTTCCCTTACTGGGGCCAAGGGACTCTGGTCACTG TCTCTTCCGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCCATCGGTCTTCCCCCTGGCACCCTCC TCCAAGAGCACCTCTGGGGGCACAGCGGCCCTGGGCTGCCTGGTCAAGGA CTACTTCCCCGAACCGGTGACAGTCTCGTGGAACTCAGGAGCCCTGACCA GCGGCGTGCACACCTTCCCGGCTGTCCTACAGTCCTCAGGACTCTACTCC CTCAGCAGCGTGGTGACTGTGCCCTCCAGCAGCTTGGGCACCCAGACCTA CATCTGCAACGTGAATCACAAGCCCAGCAACACCAAGGTGGACAAGAGAG TTGAGCCCAAATCTTGTGACAAAACTCACACATGCCCACCGTGCCCAGCA CCTGAACTCCTGGGGGGACCGTCAGTCTTCCTCTTCCCCCCAAAACCCAA GGACACCCTCATGATCTCCCGGACCCCTGAGGTCACATGCGTGGTGGTGG ACGTGAGCCACGAAGACCCTGAGGTCAAGTTCAACTGGTACGTGGACGGC GTGGAGGTGCATAATGCCAAGACAAAGCCGCGGGAGGAGCAGTACAACAG CACGTACCGTGTGGTCAGCGTCCTCACCGTCCTGCACCAGGACTGGCTGA ATGGCAAGGAGTACAAGTGCAAGGTCTCCAACAAAGCCCTCCCAGCCCCC ATCGAGAAAACCATCTCCAAAGCCAAAGGGCAGCCCCGAGAACCACAGGT GTATACCCTGCCCCCATCTCGGGAGGAGATGACCAAGAACCAGGTCAGCC TGACTTGCCTGGTCAAAGGCTTCTATCCCAGCGACATCGCCGTGGAGTGG GAGAGCAACGGGCAGCCGGAGAACAACTACAAGACCACGCCTCCCGTGCT GGACTCCGACGGCTCCTTCTTCCTCTATAGCAAGCTCACCGTGGACAAGT CCAGGTGGCAGCAGGGGAACGTCTTCTCATGCTCCGTGATGCATGAGGCT CTGCACAACCACTACACGCAGAAGAGCCTCTCCCTGTCTCCGGGTTAA

In some embodiments, TLR4 antibodies of the invention specifically bind human and/or cynomolgus TLR4/MD-2 complex, wherein the antibody binds to an epitope that includes one or more amino acid residues on human and/or cynomolgus TLR4 between residues 325 and 374 of SEQ ID NO: 76 (human) and SEQ ID NO: 77 (cynomolgus). Alternatively, the monoclonal antibody is an antibody that binds to the same epitope as 1A1, 1A6, 1B12, 1C7, 1C10, 1C12, 1D10, 1E11, 1E11 N103D, 1G12, 1E11.C1, 1E11.C2, 1E11.C3, 1E11.C4, 1E11.C5, 1E11.C6, 1E11.E1, 1E11.E2, 1E11.E3, 1E11.E4, 1E11.E5, 1E11.C2E1, 1E11.C2E3, 1E11.C2E4 and 1E11.C2E5.

The anti-TLR4 antibodies of the invention include an altered antibody in which at least the amino acid residue at EU position 325 and at least the amino acid residue at EU position 328 in the CH2 domain of the Fc portion of the antibody has been modified. For example, at least the amino acid residue at EU position 325 has been substituted with serine, and at least the amino acid residue at EU position 328 has been substituted with phenylalanine.

These anti-TLR4 antibodies with a modified Fc portion elicit modified effector functions e.g., a modified Fc receptor activity, as compared to an unaltered antibody. For example, the human Fc receptor is CD32A. In some embodiments, these anti-TLR4 antibodies elicit a prevention of proinflammatory mediators release following ligation to CD32A as compared to an unaltered antibody. Thus, these anti-TLR4 antibodies elicit a modified Fc receptor activity, such as the prevention of proinflammatory mediators release while retaining the ability to bind a target antigen. In some embodiments, these anti-TLR4 antibodies are neutralizing antibodies, wherein the anti-TLR4 antibody elicits a modified Fc receptor activity, while retaining the ability to neutralize one or more biological activities of a target antigen.

For example, anti-TLR4 antibodies of the invention include monoclonal antibodies that bind the human TLR4/MD-2 receptor complex. This receptor complex is activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the major component of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. The anti-TLR4 antibodies of the invention inhibit receptor activation and subsequent intracellular signaling via LPS. Thus, the anti-TLR4 antibodies neutralize the activation of the TLR4/MD-2 receptor complex. In particular, the invention provides anti-TLR4 antibodies that recognize the TLR4/MD-2 receptor complex expressed on the cell surface. These anti-TLR4 antibodies block LPS-induced and other TLR4 ligand-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine (e.g., IL-6, IL-8, TNFα) production. In addition, some anti-TLR4 antibodies of the invention also recognize TLR4 when not complexed with MD-2. The altered antibody is, e.g., a humanized antibody.

DEFINITIONS

Unless otherwise defined, scientific and technical terms used in connection with the present invention shall have the meanings that are commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular. Generally, nomenclatures utilized in connection with, and techniques of; cell and tissue culture, molecular biology, and protein and oligo- or polynucleotide chemistry and hybridization described herein are those well-known and commonly used in the art. Standard techniques are used for recombinant DNA, oligonucleotide synthesis, and tissue culture and transformation (e.g., electroporation, lipofection). Enzymatic reactions and purification techniques are performed according to manufacturer's specifications or as commonly accomplished in the art or as described herein. The foregoing techniques and procedures are generally performed according to conventional methods well known in the art and as described in various general and more specific references that are cited and discussed throughout the present specification. See e.g., Sambrook et al. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (2d ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989)). The nomenclatures utilized in connection with, and the laboratory procedures and techniques of; analytical chemistry, synthetic organic chemistry, and medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry described herein are those well-known and commonly used in the art. Standard techniques are used for chemical syntheses, chemical analyses, pharmaceutical preparation, formulation, and delivery, and treatment of patients.

Use of Anti-TLR4 Antibodies

It will be appreciated that administration of therapeutic entities in accordance with the invention will be administered with suitable carriers, excipients, and other agents that are incorporated into formulations to provide improved transfer, delivery, tolerance, and the like. A multitude of appropriate formulations can be found in the formulary known to all pharmaceutical chemists: Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (15th ed., Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa. (1975)), particularly Chapter 87 by Blaug, Seymour, therein. These formulations include, for example, powders, pastes, ointments, jellies, waxes, oils, lipids, lipid (cationic or anionic) containing vesicles (such as Lipofectin™), DNA conjugates, anhydrous absorption pastes, oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions, emulsions carbowax (polyethylene glycols of various molecular weights), semi-solid gels, and semi-solid mixtures containing carbowax. Any of the foregoing mixtures may be appropriate in treatments and therapies in accordance with the present invention, provided that the active ingredient in the formulation is not inactivated by the formulation and the formulation is physiologically compatible and tolerable with the route of administration. See also Baldrick P. “Pharmaceutical excipient development: the need for preclinical guidance.” Regul. Toxicol Pharmacol. 32(2):210-8 (2000), Wang W. “Lyophilization and development of solid protein pharmaceuticals.” Int. J. Pharm. 203(1-2):1-60 (2000), Charman W N “Lipids, lipophilic drugs, and oral drug delivery-some emerging concepts.” J Pharm Sci. 89(8):967-78 (2000), Powell et al. “Compendium of excipients for parenteral formulations” PDA J Pharm Sci Technol. 52:238-311 (1998) and the citations therein for additional information related to formulations, excipients and carriers well known to pharmaceutical chemists.

Therapeutic formulations of the invention, which include an anti-TLR4 antibody of the invention, are used to treat or alleviate a symptom associated with an immune-related disorder. The present invention also provides methods of treating or alleviating a symptom associated with an immune-related disorder. A therapeutic regimen is carried out by identifying a subject, e.g., a human patient suffering from (or at risk of developing) an immune-related disorder, using standard methods. For example, anti-TLR4 antibodies of the invention are useful therapeutic tools in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and/or inflammatory disorders. In certain embodiments, the use of anti-TLR4 antibodies that modulate, e.g., inhibit, neutralize, or interfere with, TLR signaling is contemplated for treating autoimmune diseases and/or inflammatory disorders.

Autoimmune diseases include, for example, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS, which is a viral disease with an autoimmune component), alopecia areata, ankylosing spondylitis, antiphospholipid syndrome, autoimmune Addison's disease, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune hepatitis, autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED), autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS), autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (ATP), Behcet's disease, cardiomyopathy, celiac sprue-dermatitis hepetiformis; chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIPD), cicatricial pemphigold, cold agglutinin disease, crest syndrome, Crohn's disease, Degos' disease, dermatomyositis-juvenile, discoid lupus, essential mixed cryoglobulinemia, fibromyalgia-fibromyositis, Graves' disease, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP), IgA nephropathy, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, juvenile chronic arthritis (Still's disease), juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Meniere's disease, mixed connective tissue disease, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, pernacious anemia, polyarteritis nodosa, polychondritis, polyglandular syndromes, polymyalgia rheumatica, polymyositis and dermatomyositis, primary agammaglobulinemia, primary biliary cirrhosis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Raynaud's phenomena, Reiter's syndrome, rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, scleroderma (progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS), also known as systemic sclerosis (SS)), Sjogren's syndrome, stiff-man syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, Takayasu arteritis, temporal arteritis/giant cell arteritis, ulcerative colitis, uveitis, vitiligo and Wegener's granulomatosis.

Inflammatory disorders include, for example, chronic and acute inflammatory disorders. Examples of inflammatory disorders include Alzheimer's disease, asthma, atopic allergy, allergy, atherosclerosis, bronchial asthma, eczema, glomerulonephritis, graft vs. host disease, hemolytic anemias, osteoarthritis, sepsis, stroke, transplantation of tissue and organs, vasculitis, diabetic retinopathy and ventilator induced lung injury.

For example, anti-TLR4 antibodies are useful in the treatment of acute inflammation and sepsis induced by microbial products (e.g., LPS) and exacerbations arising from this acute inflammation, such as, for example, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma (see O'Neill, Curr. Opin. Pharmacol. 3: 396-403 (2003), hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety). Such antibodies are also useful in treating neurodegenerative autoimmune diseases. (Lehnardt et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 100: 8514-8519(2003), hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety).

In addition, the antibodies of the invention are also useful as therapeutic reagents in the treatment of diseases, such as, for example, osteoarthritis, which are caused by stress, for example, cellular stress, which, in turn, induces endogenous soluble “stress” factors that trigger TLR4. Endogenous soluble stress factor include e.g., Hsp60 (see Ohashi et al., J. Immunol. 164: 558 561 (2000)) and fibronectin (see Okamura et al., J. Biol. Chem. 276:10229 10233 (2001) and heparin sulphate, hyaluronan, gp96, [3 Defensin-2 or surfactant protein A (see e.g., Johnson et al., Crit. Rev. Immunol., 23(1-2):15-44 (2003), each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety). The antibodies of the invention are also useful in the treatment of a variety of disorders associated with stress, such as for example, cellular stress that is associated with subjects and patients placed on respirators, ventilators and other respiratory assist devices. For example, the antibodies of the invention are useful in the treatment of ventilator-induced lung injury (“VILI”), also referred to as ventilation-associated lung injury (“VALI”).

Other disease areas in which inhibiting TLR4 function could be beneficial include, for example, chronic inflammation (e.g., chronic inflammation associated with allergic conditions and asthma), autoimmune diseases (e.g., inflammatory bowel disorder) and atherosclerosis (see O'Neill, Curr. Opin. Pharmacol. 3: 396-403 (2003), hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety).

Symptoms associated with these immune-related disorders include, for example, inflammation, fever, general malaise, fever, pain, often localized to the inflamed area, rapid pulse rate, joint pain or aches (arthralgia), rapid breathing or other abnormal breathing patterns, chills, confusion, disorientation, agitation, dizziness, cough, dyspnea, pulmonary infections, cardiac failure, respiratory failure, edema, weight gain, mucopurulent relapses, cachexia, wheezing, headache, and abdominal symptoms such as, for example, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation.

Efficaciousness of treatment is determined in association with any known method for diagnosing or treating the particular immune-related disorder. Alleviation of one or more symptoms of the immune-related disorder indicates that the antibody confers a clinical benefit.

Antibodies of the invention, including polyclonal, monoclonal, humanized and fully human antibodies, may be used as therapeutic agents. Such agents will generally be employed to treat or prevent a disease or pathology associated with aberrant expression or activation of a given target in a subject. An antibody preparation, preferably one having high specificity and high affinity for its target antigen, is administered to the subject and will generally have an effect due to its binding with the target. Administration of the antibody may abrogate or inhibit or interfere with the signaling function of the target. Administration of the antibody may abrogate or inhibit or interfere with the binding of the target with an endogenous ligand to which it naturally binds. For example, the antibody binds to the target and neutralizes TLR4 ligand-induced proinflammatory cytokine production.

A therapeutically effective amount of an antibody of the invention relates generally to the amount needed to achieve a therapeutic objective. As noted above, this may be a binding interaction between the antibody and its target antigen that, in certain cases, interferes with the functioning of the target. The amount required to be administered will furthermore depend on the binding affinity of the antibody for its specific antigen, and will also depend on the rate at which an administered antibody is depleted from the free volume other subject to which it is administered. Common ranges for therapeutically effective dosing of an antibody or antibody fragment of the invention may be, by way of nonlimiting example, from about 0.1 mg/kg body weight to about 50 mg/kg body weight. Common dosing frequencies may range, for example, from twice daily to once a week.

Antibodies or a fragment thereof of the invention can be administered for the treatment of a variety of diseases and disorders in the form of pharmaceutical compositions. Principles and considerations involved in preparing such compositions, as well as guidance in the choice of components are provided, for example, in Remington: The Science And Practice Of Pharmacy 19th ed. (Alfonso R. Gennaro, et al., editors) Mack Pub. Co., Easton, Pa.: 1995; Drug Absorption Enhancement: Concepts, Possibilities, Limitations, And Trends, Harwood Academic Publishers, Langhorne, Pa., 1994; and Peptide And Protein Drug Delivery (Advances In Parenteral Sciences, Vol. 4), 1991, M. Dekker, New York.

The pharmaceutical compositions can be included in a container, pack, or dispenser together with instructions for administration.

The formulation can also contain more than one active compound, e.g., anti-TLR4 antagonist as necessary for the particular indication being treated, preferably those with complementary activities that do not adversely affect each other. Alternatively, or in addition, the composition can comprise an agent that enhances its function, such as, for example, a cytotoxic agent, cytokine, chemotherapeutic agent, or growth-inhibitory agent. Such molecules are suitably present in combination in amounts that are effective for the purpose intended.

In one embodiment, the active compound, e.g., an anti-TLR4 antagonist, is administered in combination therapy, i.e., combined with one or more additional agents that are useful for treating pathological conditions or disorders, such as various forms of cancer, autoimmune disorders and inflammatory diseases. The term “in combination” in this context means that the agents are given substantially contemporaneously, either simultaneously or sequentially. If given sequentially, at the onset of administration of the second compound, the first of the two compounds is preferably still detectable at effective concentrations at the site of treatment.

For example, the combination therapy can include one or more neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibodies of the invention coformulated with, and/or coadministered with, one or more additional therapeutic agents, e.g., one or more cytokine and growth factor inhibitors, immunosuppressants, anti-inflammatory agents, metabolic inhibitors, enzyme inhibitors, and/or cytotoxic or cytostatic agents, as described in more detail below. Such combination therapies may advantageously utilize lower dosages of the administered therapeutic agents, thus avoiding possible toxicities or complications associated with the various monotherapies.

Preferred therapeutic agents used in combination with a neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibody of the invention are those agents that interfere at different stages in an inflammatory response. In one embodiment, one or more neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibodies described herein may be coformulated with, and/or coadministered with, one or more additional agents such as other cytokine or growth factor antagonists (e.g., soluble receptors, peptide inhibitors, small molecules, ligand fusions); or antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof that bind to other targets (e.g., antibodies that bind to other cytokines or growth factors, their receptors, or other cell surface molecules); and anti-inflammatory cytokines or agonists thereof.

Where antibody fragments are used, the smallest inhibitory fragment that specifically binds to the binding domain of the target protein and/or the smallest inhibitory fragment that interferes with or otherwise antagonizes TLR4 signaling is preferred. For example, based upon the variable-region sequences of an antibody, peptide molecules can be designed that retain the ability to bind the target protein sequence. Such peptides can be synthesized chemically and/or produced by recombinant DNA technology. (See, e.g., Marasco et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90: 7889-7893 (1993)). The formulation can also contain more than one active compound as necessary for the particular indication being treated, preferably those with complementary activities that do not adversely affect each other. Alternatively, or in addition, the composition can comprise an agent that enhances its function, such as, for example, a cytotoxic agent, cytokine, chemotherapeutic agent, or growth-inhibitory agent. Such molecules are suitably present in combination in amounts that are effective for the purpose intended.

Levels of TLR4 ligands and other biomarkers are detecting using any of a variety of standard detection techniques. Detection agents can be used for detecting the presence of a given target (or a protein fragment thereof) in a sample. In some embodiments, the detection agent contains a detectable label. In some embodiments, the detection agent is an antibody (or fragment thereof) or a probe. In some embodiments, the agent or probe is labeled. The term “labeled”, with regard to the probe or antibody, is intended to encompass direct labeling of the probe or antibody by coupling (i.e., physically linking) a detectable substance to the probe or antibody, as well as indirect labeling of the probe or antibody by reactivity with another reagent that is directly labeled. Examples of indirect labeling include detection of a primary antibody using a fluorescently-labeled secondary antibody and end-labeling of a DNA probe with biotin such that it can be detected with fluorescently-labeled streptavidin.

The term “biological sample” is intended to include tissues, cells and biological fluids isolated from a subject, as well as tissues, cells and fluids present within a subject. Included within the usage of the term “biological sample”, therefore, is blood and a fraction or component of blood including blood serum, blood plasma, or lymph. The bodily fluids can be fluids isolated from anywhere in the body of the subject, preferably a peripheral location, including but not limited to, for example, blood, plasma, serum, synovial fluid, urine, sputum, spinal fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, fluid of the respiratory, intestinal, and genitourinary tracts, saliva, intra-organ system fluid, ascitic fluid, tumor cyst fluid, amniotic fluid and combinations thereof. The biological sample also includes experimentally separated fractions of all of the preceding fluids. Biological samples also include solutions or mixtures containing homogenized solid material, such as feces, tissues, and biopsy samples. The detection method of the invention can be used to detect an analyte mRNA, protein, or genomic DNA in a biological sample in vitro as well as in vivo. For example, in vitro techniques for detection of an analyte mRNA include Northern hybridizations and in situ hybridizations. In vitro techniques for detection of an analyte protein include enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), Western blots, immunoprecipitations, and immunofluorescence. In vitro techniques for detection of an analyte genomic DNA include Southern hybridizations. Procedures for conducting immunoassays are described, for example in “ELISA: Theory and Practice: Methods in Molecular Biology”, Vol. 42, J. R. Crowther (Ed.) Human Press, Totowa, N.J., 1995; “Immunoassay”, E. Diamandis and T. Christopoulus, Academic Press, Inc., San Diego, Calif., 1996; and “Practice and Theory of Enzyme Immunoassays”, P. Tijssen, Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, 1985. Furthermore, in vivo techniques for detection of an analyte protein include introducing into a subject a labeled anti-analyte protein antibody. For example, the antibody can be labeled with a radioactive marker whose presence and location in a subject can be detected by standard imaging techniques.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

The antibodies or soluble chimeric polypeptides of the invention (also referred to herein as “active compounds”), and derivatives, fragments, analogs and homologs thereof, can be incorporated into pharmaceutical compositions suitable for administration. Such compositions typically comprise the antibody or soluble chimeric polypeptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” is intended to include any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like, compatible with pharmaceutical administration. Suitable carriers are described in the most recent edition of Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, a standard reference text in the field, which is incorporated herein by reference. Preferred examples of such carriers or diluents include, but are not limited to, water, saline, ringer's solutions, dextrose solution, and 5% human serum albumin. Liposomes and non-aqueous vehicles such as fixed oils may also be used. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutically active substances is well known in the art. Except insofar as any conventional media or agent is incompatible with the active compound, use thereof in the compositions is contemplated. Supplementary active compounds can also be incorporated into the compositions.

A pharmaceutical composition of the invention is formulated to be compatible with its intended route of administration. Examples of routes of administration include parenteral, e.g., intravenous, intradermal, subcutaneous, oral (e.g., inhalation), transdermal (i.e., topical), transmucosal, and rectal administration. Solutions or suspensions used for parenteral, intradermal, or subcutaneous application can include the following components: a sterile diluent such as water for injection, saline solution, fixed oils, polyethylene glycols, glycerine, propylene glycol or other synthetic solvents; antibacterial agents such as benzyl alcohol or methyl parabens; antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or sodium bisulfite; chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); buffers such as acetates, citrates or phosphates, and agents for the adjustment of tonicity such as sodium chloride or dextrose. The pH can be adjusted with acids or bases, such as hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide. The parenteral preparation can be enclosed in ampoules, disposable syringes or multiple dose vials made of glass or plastic.

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for injectable use include sterile aqueous solutions (where water soluble) or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersion. For intravenous administration, suitable carriers include physiological saline, bacteriostatic water, Cremophor EL™ (BASF, Parsippany, N.J.) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). In all cases, the composition must be sterile and should be fluid to the extent that easy syringeability exists. It must be stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage and must be preserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyethylene glycol, and the like), and suitable mixtures thereof. The proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersion and by the use of surfactants. Prevention of the action of microorganisms can be achieved by various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol, ascorbic acid, thimerosal, and the like. In many cases, it will be preferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars, polyalcohols such as manitol, sorbitol, sodium chloride in the composition. Prolonged absorption of the injectable compositions can be brought about by including in the composition an agent which delays absorption, for example, aluminum monostearate and gelatin.

Sterile injectable solutions can be prepared by incorporating the active compound in the required amount in an appropriate solvent with one or a combination of ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed by filtered sterilization. Generally, dispersions are prepared by incorporating the active compound into a sterile vehicle that contains a basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients from those enumerated above. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions, methods of preparation are vacuum drying and freeze-drying that yields a powder of the active ingredient plus any additional desired ingredient from a previously sterile-filtered solution thereof.

Oral compositions generally include an inert diluent or an edible carrier. They can be enclosed in gelatin capsules or compressed into tablets. For the purpose of oral therapeutic administration, the active compound can be incorporated with excipients and used in the form of tablets, troches, or capsules. Oral compositions can also be prepared using a fluid carrier for use as a mouthwash, wherein the compound in the fluid carrier is applied orally and swished and expectorated or swallowed. Pharmaceutically compatible binding agents, and/or adjuvant materials can be included as part of the composition. The tablets, pills, capsules, troches and the like can contain any of the following ingredients, or compounds of a similar nature: a binder such as microcrystalline cellulose, gum tragacanth or gelatin; an excipient such as starch or lactose, a disintegrating agent such as alginic acid, Primogel, or corn starch; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate or Sterotes; a glidant such as colloidal silicon dioxide; a sweetening agent such as sucrose or saccharin; or a flavoring agent such as peppermint, methyl salicylate, or orange flavoring.

For administration by inhalation, the compounds are delivered in the form of an aerosol spray from pressured container or dispenser which contains a suitable propellant, e.g., a gas such as carbon dioxide, or a nebulizer.

Systemic administration can also be by transmucosal or transdermal means. For transmucosal or transdermal administration, penetrants appropriate to the barrier to be permeated are used in the formulation. Such penetrants are generally known in the art, and include, for example, for transmucosal administration, detergents, bile salts, and fusidic acid derivatives. Transmucosal administration can be accomplished through the use of nasal sprays or suppositories. For transdermal administration, the active compounds are formulated into ointments, salves, gels, or creams as generally known in the art.

The compounds can also be prepared in the form of suppositories (e.g., with conventional suppository bases such as cocoa butter and other glycerides) or retention enemas for rectal delivery.

In one embodiment, the active compounds are prepared with carriers that will protect the compound against rapid elimination from the body, such as a controlled release formulation, including implants and microencapsulated delivery systems. Biodegradable, biocompatible polymers can be used, such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyanhydrides, polyglycolic acid, collagen, polyorthoesters, and polylactic acid. Methods for preparation of such formulations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The materials can also be obtained commercially from Alza Corporation and Nova Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Liposomal suspensions (including liposomes targeted to infected cells with monoclonal antibodies to viral antigens) can also be used as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. These can be prepared according to methods known to those skilled in the art, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,811.

It is especially advantageous to formulate oral or parenteral compositions in dosage unit form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. Dosage unit form as used herein refers to physically discrete units suited as unitary dosages for the subject to be treated; each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active compound calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the required pharmaceutical carrier. The specification for the dosage unit forms of the invention are dictated by and directly dependent on the unique characteristics of the active compound and the particular therapeutic effect to be achieved, and the limitations inherent in the art of compounding such an active compound for the treatment of individuals.

The pharmaceutical compositions can be included in a container, pack, or dispenser together with instructions for administration.

The invention will be further described in the following examples, which do not limit the scope of the invention described in the claims.

Examples Example 1 Materials and Methods

Blockade of TLR4 Activation Stimulated by Immune Complex Containing Citrullinated Fibrinogen (cFb-IC):

Two methods were used to prepare the immune complex. In the first method, rabbit polyclonal antibody was used to prepare the immune complex. Briefly, in vitro citrullinated antigen (Fibrinogen) was plated and incubated overnight, then washed and blocked before being incubated with 50 ug/ml polyclonal rabbit anti-fibrinogen antibody (Dako) for 2 hours at 37° C., followed by washing. Then, 50,000 human monocyte derived macrophages that had been pretreated with either an anti-TLR4 antagonist, e.g., the NI-0101 antibody, or an anti-FcγRII antibody, or a relevant isotype control antibody, were added to the plates. Finally, after incubation for 16 hours, the supernatants were harvested, and a pro-inflammatory cytokine, e.g., TNFα was measured by ELISA.

In the second method, IgG isolated from a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient was used to prepare the immune complex. Briefly, in vitro citrullinated antigen (Fibrinogen) was plated and incubated overnight, then washed and blocked before being incubated with human RA-IgG (1 mg/ml) for 2 hours at 37° C., followed by washing. Then, 50,000 human monocyte derived macrophages that had been pretreated with either an anti-TLR4 antagonist, e.g., the NI-0101 antibody, an anti-FcγRII antibody, or a relevant isotype control antibody, were added to the plates. Finally, after incubation for 16 hours, the supernatants were harvested, and a pro-inflammatory cytokine, e.g., TNFα was measured by ELISA.

Measuring Levels of Immune Complex Containing Citrullinated Fibrinogen (IC-cFb):

Standard ELISA techniques were used to determine the levels of immune complex containing citrullinated fibrinogen (IC-cFb) in synovial fluid samples from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Briefly, the mouse anti-human citrullinated fibrinogen (cFb) antibody, 3D1, (anti-cFb, clone 3D1, # AM32004PU-N from Acris) was plated, incubated overnight, washed and blocked prior to incubation with a synovial fluid sample from RA patients in triplicate wells. An anti-human-IgG-Fc-HRP (SIGMA, #A0170) was used to detect the immune complex.

Stimulation of Synovial Fibroblasts from RA Patients with Synovial Fluid from RA Patients:

RA fibroblasts were plated, incubated for two days before supernatants were removed and fresh media was added. NI-0101 or isotype control (60 μg/mL in Medium, 40 μL/well) was added for the treatment wells, and an equal volume of medium was added to the untreated control wells. After incubation for 30 minutes, synovial fluid from RA patients was added to each well to a concentration of 2.5% in the final assay mix (40 μL/well of 7.5% synovial fluid). As positive control, LPS was added to 10 ng/mL (40 μL/well of 30 ng/mL LPS). After incubation for 24 hours, the supernatants were collected and a pro-inflammatory cytokine, e.g., interleukin-6 (IL-6) was detected by ELISA.

Stimulation of Monocytes from Peripheral Blood of RA Patients with Synovial Fluid from RA Patients:

CD14⁺ monocytes were purified from peripheral blood of RA patients using MACS beads and adjusted to 1.25×10⁶ cells/mL with fresh medium. The monocytes were then plated, and to the treatment wells, NI-0101 or isotype control (60 μg/mL in Medium, 40 μL/well) was added for the treatment wells, and an equal volume of medium was added to the untreated control wells. After incubation for 30 minutes, diluted synovial fluid from RA patients was added to a concentration of 20%, 10%, 5% or 2.5% in the final assay mix. As positive control, LPS was added to 10 ng/mL in triplicate wells (40 μL/well of 30 ng/mL LPS). After incubation for 24 hours, the supernatants were collected and a pro-inflammatory cytokine, e.g., interleukin-6 (IL-6), TNFα, IL-1β, GM-CSF and/or IL-8, was detected by Luminex assay.

Example 2 Elevated Levels of TLR4 Ligands in Patient Samples Stimulate Cells to Produce Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines

The levels of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) and different TLR4 ligands (cFb-IC, HMGB1, S100A8/A9 and Tenascin C) contained in synovial fluid of healthy subjects (N Syn.Fluid) or patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA Syn.Fluid) were detected (FIGS. 2A-2E). Elevated levels of ACPA and the TLR4 ligands were detected in the samples from patients with RA.

Example 3 Use of an Anti-TLR4 Antagonist Inhibits Production of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines

The activation profiles of different rheumatoid arthritis synovial fluids (RASF) on synovial fibroblasts isolated from patients with RA and the dependence of the stimulation on TLR4 in these samples were measured and analyzed. As shown in FIG. 3A, RASF from patient #1 (RASF 1) was found to stimulate RA synovial fibroblasts to produce the pro-inflammatory cytokine, IL-6. This stimulation was significantly blocked by the presence of an anti-human TLR4 mAb (e.g., NI-0101). In contrast, FIG. 3B demonstrates that a RASF sample from patient #2 (RASF 2) was unable to stimulate IL-6 production from RA synovial fibroblasts, and the anti-TLR4 mAb had no effect in this circumstance. Thus, the ability of a patient sample to stimulate the production of a pro-inflammatory cytokine can be used as indicator that that particular patient is likely to be suitable for treatment with an anti-TLR4 antagonist, such as a neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibody, e.g., NI-0101.

Similar studies were run to detect and analyze the activation profiles of different rheumatoid arthritis synovial fluids (RASF) on human monocytes isolated from patients with RA and the dependence of the stimulation on TLR4 (FIG. 4). FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C depict the ability of a RASF sample from patient #3 (RASF 3) to stimulate production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6, IL8 and TNFα, respectively, from human monocytes isolated from RA patients. This stimulation was significantly blocked by the presence of an anti-human TLR4 mAb (e.g., NI-0101). In contrast, FIGS. 4D, 4E and 4F depict a RASF sample from patient #4 (RASF 4) that was unable to stimulate the production of IL-6, IL8 and TNFα from human monocytes isolated from RA patients, and the anti-TLR4 mAb had no effect in this circumstance. Again, these studies demonstrate the ability of a patient sample to stimulate the production of a pro-inflammatory cytokine can be used as indicator that that particular patient is likely to be suitable for treatment with an anti-TLR4 antagonist, such as a neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibody, e.g., NI-0101.

Example 4 Correlation Between Expression Levels of TLR4 Ligands and Other Markers and the Capacity of Cell Stimulation to be Inhibited by an Anti-TLR4 Antagonist

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a series of graphs that depict the correlation between the expression levels of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) or TLR4 ligands in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fluids (RASF) and the capacity of cell stimulation to be inhibited by an anti-human TLR4 mAb. The TLR4 ligands include immune complex containing citrullinated fibrinogen (cFb-IC), high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), S100A8/A9 and Tenascin C. The cell types include RA patient synovial fibroblasts (A) and RA patient monocytes (B).

Table 1 summarizes and correlates the levels of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), immune complex containing citrullinated fibrinogen (cFb-IC), high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), S100A8/A9 and Tenascin C in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fluids (RASF) of 14 patients and the capacity of the RASF to induce cytokine production with an ability to be blocked by an anti-human TLR4 mAb, e.g., NI-0101) treatment with either RA blood monocytes and RA synovial fibroblasts.

TABLE 1

The shading used in Table 1 represents RASF samples positive for ACPA and TLR4 ligands using the following arbitrary thresholds: ACPA (>2000 Ul/ml), cFb-Ic (>1.5 OD), HMGB1 (>100 ng/ml), S100 (>500 nmg/ml), and Tenascin C (>100 ng/ml)

Example 5 Statistical Analysis of TLR4 Ligands and Other Biomarkers

Recursive partitioning and regression trees (rpart) algorithms were used to find the optimal thresholds to classify the data according to their score. The performance of each tree was evaluated by the inspection of its confusion matrix. The trees with the lowest complexity were chosen when multiple solutions were available, i.e., those with minimal number of nodes and splits. The mean of the three replicates was used as a biomarker value.

The best individual classifiers for monocytes or fibroblasts response scores to treatment with the anti-TLR4 antibody NI-0101 were analyzed. For monocytes, several markers including ACPA, cFb-IC, HMGB1 and S100A8/A9, were found to be good predictors of monocyte response score, with S100A8/A9 being the best individual classifier. If the level of S100A8/A9 detected in synovial fluid was set to 387 ng/ml, this marker predicted 100% of non-responders to NI-0101 treatment with 80% accuracy and 100% of responders with 89% accuracy. In the samples tested, 36% (4 out of 5) of the subjects identified did not have a level of S100A8/A9 detected in monocytes greater than or equal to 387, and 64% (8/9) of the subjects did have a level of S100A8/A9 detected in synovial fluid greater than or equal to 387.

For fibroblasts, cFb-IC was fond to be the best individual predictor of fibroblast response. If the level of cFb-IC detected in synovial fluid (OD 450 nm reading) was set to 1.2, this marker predicts 100% of non-responders to NI-0101 treatment with 90% accuracy and 80% of responders with 100% accuracy. In the samples tested, 73% (10 out of 11) of the subjects identified did not have a level of cFb-IC detected in fibroblasts greater than or equal to 1.2, and 27% (4/4) of the subjects did have a level of cFb-IC detected in synovial fluid greater than or equal to 1.2.

The marker levels by combined monocytes and fibroblasts response score (cMFRS) in response to treatment with NI-0101 was evaluated as shown in FIG. 7.

Further evaluation identified that the markers ACPA and cFb-IC show a trend of correlation in the RASF samples, and similarly, the markers S100A8/A9 and HMGB1 demonstrate a trend of correlation in the RASF samples (FIG. 8). These two tandems were found to be independent of each other.

It was also found that the markers ACPA, cFb-IC, HMGB1 and S100A8/A9 are each individually good predictors for combined monocytes and fibroblasts response score (cMFRS) to treatment with the anti-human TLR mAb, NI-0101. Each of ACPA, cFb-IC and HMGB1 were found to exhibit identical predictive power, where each marker was found to predict 75% of non-responders to NI-0101 treatment with 100% accuracy and 100% of responders with 91% accuracy. In particular, in the samples tested, 21% (3 out of 3) of the subjects identified did not have a level of ACPA detected in synovial fluid greater than or equal to 330 Ul/ml, and 79% (10111) of the subjects did have a level of ACPA detected in synovial fluid greater than or equal to 330 Ul/ml. In the samples tested, 21% (3 out of 3) of the subjects identified did not have a level of cFb-IC detected in synovial fluid greater than or equal to 0.55, and 79% (10111) of the subjects did have a level of cFb-IC detected in synovial fluid greater than or equal to 0.55 (OD 450 nm reading). In the samples tested, 21% (3 out of 3) of the subjects identified did not have a level of HMGB1 detected in synovial fluid greater than or equal to 45 ng/ml, and 79% (10/11) of the subjects did have a level of HMGB1 detected in synovial fluid greater than or equal to 45.

The combination of S100A8/A9 and cFb-IC provided the best classifier for the prediction of combined monocytes and fibroblasts response score (cMFRS) to treatment with the anti-human TLR mAb, NI-0101. If the level of S100A8/A9 detected in synovial fluid were found to be greater than or equal to 387 ng/ml and the level of cFb-IC detected in synovial fluid were found to be greater than or equal to 1.2 (OD 450 nm reading), this combination of markers was found to predict 100% of non-responders to NI-0101 treatment with 80% accuracy and 90% of responders with 100% accuracy (FIG. 9). While each individual marker, S100A8/A9 and cFb-IC, is a good predictor of cMFRS, the combination of the two is the best predictor.

Other combinations of markers are suitable predictors of monocyte and fibroblast response. For example, the predictor of monocyte and fibroblast response is a combination selected from the group consisting of (i) S100A8/A9 and HMGB1; (ii) S100A8/A9 and cFb-IC; (iii) S100A8/A9 and ACPA; (iv) ACPA and cFb-IC; (v) ACPA and HMGB1; (vi) HMGB1 and cFb-IC; (vii) S100A8/A9, ACPA and HMGB1; (viii) S100A8/A9, ACPA and cFb-IC; (ix) S100A8/A9, cFb-IC and HMGB1; (x) ACPA, HMGB1 and cFb-IC; and (xi) S100A8/A9, cFb-IC, ACPA and HMGB1.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

While the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of alleviating a symptom of a disorder, the method comprising detecting a level of one or more TLR4 ligands or one or more other biomarkers in a biological sample from a subject, comparing the detected level of the one or more TLR4 ligands or the one or more biomarkers to a control level of expression, and when the detected level is elevated, administering an anti-TLR4 antagonist in an amount sufficient to alleviate the symptom of the disorder to the subject.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more TLR4 ligands or the one or more biomarkers is selected from the group consisting of anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA), a citrullinated protein, HMGB1, S100A8/A9, Tenascin C, and combinations thereof.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the citrullinated protein is citrullinated fibrinogen, citrullinated fibrin, citrullinated vimentin, a citrullinated histone, citrullinated enolase or a citrullinated chemokine.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the citrullinated histone is citrullinated histone 2b.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the citrullinated chemokine is citrullinated CXCL10.
 6. The method of claim 2, wherein the citrullinated protein is in an immune complex.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the citrullinated protein in an immune complex is citrullinated fibrinogen (cFb) in an immune complex with an IgG protein (cFb-IC).
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the biological sample is or is derived from blood.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the biological sample is or is derived from urine.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the biological sample is or is derived from synovial fluid.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the anti-TLR4 antagonist is an anti-TLR4 antibody or immunologically active fragment thereof.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the anti-TLR4 antibody or immunologically active fragment thereof comprises a variable heavy chain complementarity determining region 1 (VH CDR1) the amino acid sequence of GGYSWH (SEQ ID NO: 1); a VH CDR2 region comprising the amino acid sequence of YIHYSGYTDFNPSLKT (SEQ ID NO: 2); a VH CDR3 region comprising the amino acid sequence of KDPSDAFPY (SEQ ID NO: 3); a variable light chain complementarity determining region 1 (VL CDR1) region comprising the amino acid sequence of RASQSISDHLH (SEQ ID NO: 4); a VL CDR2 region comprising the amino acid sequence of YASHAIS (SEQ ID NO: 5); and a VL CDR3 region comprising the amino acid sequence of QQGHSFPLT (SEQ ID NO: 6).
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the anti-TLR4 antibody or immunologically active fragment thereof comprises the heavy chain variable amino acid sequence QVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYSITGGYSWHWIRQPPGKGLEWMGYIHYSGYT DFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCARKDPSDAFPYWGQGTLVTVSS (SEQ ID NO: 7) and the light chain variable amino acid sequence EIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPDQSPKLLIKYASHAISGVPSR FSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGHSFPLTFGGGTKVEIK (SEQ ID NO: 8).
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the anti-TLR4 antibody or immunologically active fragment thereof comprises the heavy chain amino acid sequence MGWSWIFLFLLSGTAGVHCQVQLQESGPGLVKPSDTLSLTCAVSGYSITGGYSWHWIR QPPGKGLEWMGYIHYSGYTDFNPSLKTRITISRDTSKNQFSLKLSSVTAVDTAVYYCAR KDPSDAFPYWGQGTLVTVSSASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVS WNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKRVE PKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFN WYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSSKAFPAPIE KTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYK TTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK (SEQ ID NO: 9) and the light chain amino acid sequence MEWSWVFLFFLSVTTGVHSEIVLTQSPDFQSVTPKEKVTITCRASQSISDHLHWYQQKPD QSPKLLIKYASHAISGVPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTINSLEAEDAATYYCQQGHSFPLTFGGGT KVEIKRTVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQE SVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC (SEQ ID NO: 10).
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is human.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the disorder is an autoimmune or inflammatory disorder.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the disorder is associated with aberrant TLR4 signaling, elevated TLR4 ligand expression or activity, aberrant pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and combinations thereof.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the disorder is rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the disorder is atherosclerosis.
 20. The method of claim 1, wherein the disorder is associated with organ or tissue transplantation.
 21. The method of claim 1, wherein the disorder is associated with acute lung injury.
 22. The method of claim 1, wherein the disorder is associated with ischemia/reperfusion injury. 